"You wear sandals in the snow And a smile that won't wash…read moreaway 'Cause you're working Building a mystery" (Sarah McLachlan) Ever hear of Rebuilding Together? It's a national organization of volunteers that mobilize to repair, modify, and improve homes for low-income homeowners. Founded in Texas in 1988, over the years, 3.4 million volunteers have worked to rehab over 100,000 homes. With 200+ chapters across the country, on the last Saturday in April, volunteers gather across the country to repair and revitalize homes. We participated in the Hartford's chapter Volunteer Day on Saturday. Our day kicked off with an early 7:30 check-in, orientation, breakfast, and T-shirt distribution at the Sarah J. Rawson Elementary School. At 8:30, we headed off to our assigned house on nearby East Burnham Street. We joined hundreds of volunteers to restore and refurbish thirteen homes across the Blue Hills neighborhood of Hartford. The home we were assigned to included 20 volunteers from Travelers Insurance. It was a long, tiring day that ran from 730 to 4. We painted, dug up and relocated rose bushes, planted bushes, moved mulch, rebuilt a closet, installed a front porch railing, replaced a large back yard clothesline, and were links in a bucket brigade chain to empty basement clutter and move it to a dumpster. There were 41 tasks on our house's punch list, and we got to them all. Shout out to Capital Ice Cream for the welcome delivery of their ice cream for an afternoon break. Shout out to the many leaders who organized the moving parts of today's massive endeavor. House Captain: Denis Walter Volunteer Coordinator: Mary Ann Lefemine Program Manager: Ray da Rosa Area Director: Ted Brown

"Because I'm hungry for those good things, baby Hungry…read morethrough and through I'm hungry for that sweet life, baby With a real fine girl like you" (Hungry - Paul Revere and the Raiders) "Hungry" should be a word in a song lyric and never a word needed by someone in real life. The Windsor Food Bank's Mission Statement is simple. It strives to ensure "that no resident goes hungry, is cold, or is without basic necessities". They offer community assistance in the forms of food, fuel, prescription medication, public transportation passes, and vouchers and gift cards for their clients to buy household items and clothing. I became involved with the Windsor Food Bank when I was asked to run a charity event at work. After speaking with their Windsor Social Services, we agreed to host a food drive for delivery in early November. The WFB was very responsive to my e-mails and always answered my questions promptly, like when I asked if they had their own collection boxes we could use. We borrowed six of their plastic crates that folded up flat and were very easy to transport and set up. WFB also gave us a list of their most needed items -Peanut Butter and Jelly, Pasta and Spaghetti Sauce, Macaroni and Cheese, Canned Meats, Crackers, Cereal, Baked Beans, Canned Vegetables, Canned Fruit, Fruit Juice, Condiments, Coffee, Tea, Hot Cocoa, Paper Towels, Tissues, Personal Care Items, Soap and Shampoo, and Baby Wipes. They also gave us a list of Thanksgiving items - Instant Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Gravy Mixes, Canned Vegetables, Bread and Muffin Mixes, and Dessert Mixes. We printed these on some flyers and posted them in four of our different business centers. We set up their collection boxes around our work campus and delivered everything today. They were waiting for us with manpower and rolling carts to unload our three cars and a truck. We all worked together to move the cans and boxes and jars and packets inside. After we took a group photo, we were walking back to our vehicles and it struck us all as to how good it felt to have done this collection program. The WFB needs your help, and they need food donations more than they need volunteer hour donations. They accept donations from 9 am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

December 13, 2020 I…read moreglad support any Food Bank. Each dollar turned into seven dollars worth of food, so if I send dollar five cents, is turned into seven dollars and thirty five cents worth of food. That is the start to help children, this situation children of Windsor, Connecticut. This is second review of this Food Bank. Glad help children of Windsor, Connecticut, The Constitution State. As I write this, I know tomorrow is another date mark of the shooting at the school of Newtown, Connecticut. My thoughts and my prayers still with friends in Newtown and all over state of Connecticut.

Amazing organization that helps people with intellectual disabilities. The organization is built on…read morelove and respect. Amazing organization

The folks at Journey Found LOVE what they do and their nurturing approach is life-changing I've had…read morethe privilege of getting to know Tracey and Monica and find them to be such compassionate individuals with a driving passion to be there for their staff, friends and a support to families as well. The world would be a cold empty place without people like these two and Journey Found to warm and fill the hearts and guide the lives of so many. Thank you for all you do at Journey Found!

Wow! What an inspiring place! The Community Services Director Janet Mellon gave me a tour. They…read moreprovide services for Southington residents, and there are some programs for anyone at all, for example, if anyone needs a coat, hat, and gloves. Such an organized place! They have a huge food pantry, there is an amazing well-stocked Community Closet, and you will see the many volunteers there helping the community! Please donate food and gently used or new clothing and other products here. They will take anything. It's easy to donate, they have plenty of parking in the back, there's an area to donate in the front with huge bins and food carts. I really enjoyed learning about their many programs, like making Easter baskets for kids, back to school packages, and so much more. They also provide financial assistance. The Community Closet smelled good, the items were clean. I highly recommend you visit this place for services or to help their cause. They have fundraisers. Check out the website. You can stop by weekdays from 8:30-4:30 to drop off clothes or food and other items. They provide services during these hours, but as the director said, she's even there working on the weekends to care for the community.

The people are very friendly and helping. And it looks like a shopping center for food very very…read moreneat and clean and they give you really awesome food thank you friendly hands.

they banned me from the food pantry for life because i had somonethat knew i got help with food…read morefrom there , call and tell them i was getting help somewhere else etc.. they did not even ask me if this were true, they didnt give me a chance to proove to them it was false (wich i had proof) i asked to come in and talk to somone to show them the roof i had, the director / owner shut me down very fast and said no.. go to salvation army! I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!! sadly they believe whatever calls come in by drug addicts and they cut off mothers with children who actually need the help. sad really because theres got to be more mothers this has happend to!! not to mention if they know you personally they gove you things they put away like gift cards etc.. only certain ppl get them ive witnesed this personally. the volunteers take all of the donations that they want before the people get them. i guess id rather struggle then go to a place that are supposed to help there fellow parents etc but they are pocketing donations and turning away mothers that actually need the help, not drug adddicts that sold all of there food stamps and need to survive the rest of the month so they go to friendly hands!!!

Amazing staff, good food, great location and atmosphere. Love their mission to help the homeless…read morecommunity too. Wonderful place to go if you need help or services in Hartford. They will take care of you and help you in any way they can!

Today's lunch at Gather 55, the latest Hands on Hartford food experience, offered up a truly…read morewonderful meal. The place was packed but the front of the house rep found us a perfect table against the rear wall with a view of the dining room. The gentleman who fixed/adjusted our table did a super job; hate those wobbly tables I always manage to find. The menus were clear and the ordering was super easy. The end product went way above our expectations. My dining partner ordered the Chicken Salad plate with a pasta side included. The chicken was fresh, tender and delicious [I stole a piece] and the penne pasta was just right while the celery and walnuts added crunch. I had the Salmon Wrap with spinach, avocado and ginger vinaigrette. The wrap was huge and the salmon perfectly cooked while the added ingredients made the dish even better. The crowd was lively and the atmosphere was full of love. We will return! Want to try the breakfast.

I have brought many donations to Gifts of Love over the past decade. They provide a valuable…read moreservice to those in need.

I understand that this organization has guidelines for donations it can and cannot accept. However,…read morethe general approach of personnel is not one of gratitude, but rather, 'attitude.' I always donate usable and high-quality items that are in very good condition. However, they are frequently not met with genuine appreciation, but rather, with interrogation and rejections. Since this has happened on several occasions, I will donate to other organizations in the future.

The spring sale happening Mother's Day weekend every year…read more Pottery jewelry weaving and more food and drinks

In a word, wonderful! My daughters and I were visiting from out of town and sought out unique…read moreartistic finds and the gallery shop here did not disappoint! We came away with a variety of fashion accessories and home decor items including jewelry, pottery, fused glass, kitchen items etc. that are unique and we will cherish! Cecilia was amazing and engaging and definitely made our visit even better because of her kindness and assistance. Wished we lived closer to be able to take advantage of the membership and classes. When in town again we will definitely be back !!!