A nonprofit in the town of Greenwich has been awarded $250,000 to build a  clothing and food distribution center.
Neighbor to Neighbor uses basement space at Christ Church Greenwich, a three-building campus at 254 E. Putnam Ave.
The 40-year-old nonprofit”™s executive director, Nancy Coughlin, said the plan is for the church to designate and lease a portion of its campus for a fourth building to be the new, two-story Neighbor to Neighbor facility.
Coughlin said the effort is in the planning phase now, with the town”™s official planning and zoning reviews in the future.
The funds were awarded through the state”™s Small Town Economic Assistance Program. Gov. Dannell Malloy”™s office, in a statement, said the Neighbor to Neighbor grant will expand services, increase space for volunteers and improve the delivery of food and clothing to low-income residents.
The facility will be energy efficient and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the statement said. Plans include an elevator, a greater assortment of products and a conference room for on-site meetings and activities. “All improvements ensure the continuance of this essential service for thousands of adults and children in need,” according to a statement from Malloy”™s office.
Other towns to receive funding included Bethany ($500,000 to turn an old airplane hangar into a recreation center and emergency facility), Hebron ($391,000 for a bridge project), Farmington ($350,000 for road improvements), New Milford ($498,000 for a senior center upgrade) and Simsbury ($150,000 toward the Simsbury Veterans Memorial).
“Delivering these grants today will improve the outlook for small towns across the state tomorrow,” Malloy said in statement. “We are partnering with our smaller communities so that we can rebuild infrastructure, improve quality of life for residents across our state and put Connecticut on a brighter path. These grants will help towns grow, remain competitive, and have a lasting impact for years to come.”
