RECOGNIZING THE VISIONARIES WHO PREDICTED FOOD INSECURITY WOULD RISE IN GREENWICH

As the new Neighbor to Neighbor building is being constructed over the summer months, the Greenwich organization will use this time to honor the committed people who had the vision and were the major forces in its origination. 

Neighbor to Neighbor is launching the “Fill the Build” campaign, inviting the entire community to help people in need by filling the interior space and contributing toward purchasing fresh and shelf-stable food, chairs, tables and shelves. The campaign will run through November. It is being co-chaired by Lori Jackson and John Cooper, both experienced community fundraising volunteers and committed supporters of Neighbor to Neighbor. 

“We”™re excited to offer the community the opportunity to fill the building and open the doors to people in need,” Jackson said.  

“”¦A donation in any amount is most welcome. We want everyone in Greenwich to feel like a part of this neighborhood project,” Cooper said. 

In 1975, a small group of women, including Mary Cattan and Ann Westerfield and the late Jane Fleming, started Neighbor to Neighbor in the basement of Christ Church Greenwich, After 36 years in the same underground basement space, Pam Kelly stepped forward to make the commitment to figure out how to build a new, dedicated space for clients, volunteers and staff. At the same time, First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich had received a bequest from a long-time parishioner to distribute $100,000 to a nonprofit. Bev Jomo, a parishioner, was selected to deliver the donation to Neighbor to Neighbor.  

Neighbor to Neighbor staff and volunteers have been providing food assistance to approximately 525 Greenwich family households each week, working out of temporary space at North Greenwich Congregational Church while the building is under construction.