Taking action for those in need 

Over the last 22 years, 9/11 has become a day of service. For many, that means remembering that September is National Hunger Action Month. 

With one in three Westchester County families facing food insecurity, Elmsford-based Feeding Westchester works with schools, day-care centers, libraries and other organizations to ensure children receive nourishing, easy-to-prepare meals. On Thursday, Sept. 21, Feeding Westchester teams with The Westchester in White Plains for “Giving Back is Beautiful,” an evening (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.) of wine-tasting, catered bites and beauty items. Tickets start at $40, with each including a donation to Feeding Westchester. Also, when you shop  at”¯Altar”™d State”¯at The Westchester on Mondays throughout Hunger Action Month, you”™ll be directly contributing to Feeding Westchester. This is part of Mission Monday, a program by its Stand Out For Good initiative, which allocates 10% of net proceeds from all in-store and online sales to support nonprofits across the nation. 

On Friday, Sept. 22, the Gov. Mario Cuomo Bridge will be lit in Feeding Westchester”™s orange and green colors. Then in honor of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement and fasting (Sept. 24 to 25), congregations throughout the county will be raising funds for Feeding Westchester. Find out how your congregation can get involved by emailing Ciara at”¯cmulligan@feedingwestchester.org.”¯ 

Learn more about Hunger Action Month at”¯FeedingWestchester.org/hungeractionmonth. 

Meanwhile, Gifts of Love, a”¯nonprofit that provides food, clothing and household items to Connecticut individuals and families facing a financial crisis, has announced a campaign that coincides with the beginning of the charity”™s 35th”¯year. The “$35 for 35” appeal”¯aims to engage supporters, both longstanding and new, in commemorating the impressive milestone by making a onetime donation of $35. 

“September is extra special, because we were founded in September of 1989, and it also marks National Hunger Action Month,” said Lisa Gray, Gifts of Love”™s executive director.”¯ “Beyond celebrating our business anniversary, as well as putting a spotlight on our important mission, donors of the ”˜$35 for 35”™ campaign not only contribute to our ongoing efforts but also join us in reflecting on the positive impact we’ve made together as a community for more than three decades. 

“Our realistic goal of raising $5,000 through this campaign equates to only 143 donors and will enable us to further our mission while expanding our outreach.” 

Gifts of Love services 41 towns across Connecticut by offering two fully-stocked food pantries consisting of nonperishable food items, meats, dairy products, frozen items,”¯fresh”¯produce, paper goods and personal hygiene items; a housewares and small appliances pantry; and a clothing boutique, where clients can come and shop once a month.”¯ The organization has two locations ”“ in Avon and in Hartford ”“ to make it easy for those in need to access necessary goods and services.”¯ It is also on the front lines of fighting childhood hunger with its Weekend Food Backpack Program, during which it distributes backpacks stuffed with easy-to-prepare meals and drinks to more than 300 students who are receiving free or reduced-cost lunches throughout the school year. 

The “$35 for 35” campaign will run for 35 days through Oct. 3.”¯ Supporters can contribute on the organization”™s website.”¯ Donors will be able to leave a message of support on a digital tribute wall, receive public acknowledgement on the organization”™s social media channels and read stories of individuals and families who have benefited from Gifts of Love’s programs. 

For more or to donate to the “$35 for 35” campaign, email kwelch@giftsoflovect.org”¯or call”¯860-676-2323.  

Later this fall, Gifts of Love hosts its first big fundraising event since 2019. The “Fall in Love” fundraiser, Nov. 3 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Farmington Gardens, features”¯music, dancing, a photo booth, trivia, a live auction, a wine pull, mixology demonstrations and specialty cocktails. 

Individual tickets are $125 and tables of 10 are $1,250.”¯ Both can be purchased in advance here.”¯ Customized marketing partnership packages are also available for businesses and organizations, and the charity is seeking live auction items.”¯