NMA Extra Support for December Holidays
Norwalk Mutual Aid is raising funds to provide the families we support with a prepaid card to buy gifts or necessities for each child in the household this December.
Leader
Suzanne McFate
Location
60 East Ave Norwalk, CT 06851
About the project
Norwalk Mutual Aid is a grassroots group of “neighbors helping neighbors” that came together early in the pandemic to assist local families during the crisis. Since April, we've provided food and supplies to over 150 households monthly as a collective of community members: friends, neighbors, and allies working together to make an equitable Norwalk for all.
As we all know, end-of-year expenses and winter holidays can put a great strain on household finances in December. With many people scrambling to make up for lost income due to the COVID-19 crisis and fewer safe opportunities to work overtime or take in extra cash this season, folks who were already struggling to make ends meet will have an even harder time providing gifts and extra comforts for their children. We're raising funds to provide a $25 WalMart gift card to each kid in the families Norwalk Mutual Aid supports, so that their parents have a little help to make them feel special and celebrated in this difficult time.
The Steps
November 30: project end date
Week of December 7 or as soon as funds are disbursed: purchase gift cards and mailing supplies
By December 11: mail cards, or hand-deliver if concerned about postal delays
Why we‘re doing it
Mutual aid is people helping people to make their community better, leaving no one behind. It works because of people’s natural desire to care for each other and build thriving communities together.
Mutual aid is communities sharing what they have, whether it is food, companionship, money, supplies, time, labor, or skills. Everyone offers what they can, and everyone asks for what they need.
Mutual aid comes from a feeling that “we’re in this together,” that we belong in our community and that our neighbors belong too, regardless of age, immigration status, class, race, disability, gender or sexual orientation.
Coming together as a group to provide extra support for families in our community at this time of year is just one simple way that we can demonstrate that we care about each other, believe in each other and want each other's needs to be met.