Town of Wilton Receives Support from United Way

United Way of Coastal Fairfield County awarded the Town of Wilton a grant to support residents impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Presentation was made to Sarah Heath, Director of Social Services, by town resident and United Way Board member Lyn Salsgiver Kobsa.

The Covid Relief Grant provides emergency assistance for food, rent, utilities and critical bills to help keep families in stable homes. This is the second round of grants awarded by United Way to support those impacted by the pandemic in its Fairfield County service area.

Sarah Heath commented, “We so appreciate United Way’s support during this very difficult time.”
Because of this generous donation, we will be able to stabilize households—to keep people in their homes, with the lights on, and with food on their tables.”

United Way Board Member Lyn Salsgiver Kobsa commented, “Our neighbors need our help, and many of them are seeking help for the first time in their lives. We’re honored to work with the Town of Wilton to bring help and hope to those who are suffering in my own hometown.”

Before the pandemic, nearly one in five of Wilton families struggled to make ends meet. With Covid-19, families were challenged by the loss of income due to reduced hours or shuttered businesses. In the past year, Wilton residents’ requests for help to United Way’s 2-1-1 Infoline quadrupled, with sharp increases in those seeking support for housing and food.

Ms. Kobsa observed: “We’re committed to helping our town meet the growing need. This is the third investment we’ve made during the pandemic.”

This current award of $4,000 follows previous supports to town social services in the form of electronic gift cards to meet immediate family needs, and grant funding to two area agencies, Open Door and Person to Person.

investments in every one of the 12 towns it its footprint, offering:

• Grants for basic needs: Approximately $150,000 in grants to support towns and community partners providing for basic needs like food, rent, and utilities.
• Direct Help to Families: Over $89,000 in electronic gift cards to families in need, distributed by towns and local social service agencies.
• Protective Equipment: Tens of thousands of protective masks, gloves, and face shields to help neighbors ranging from frontline health workers to teachers and families, thanks to corporate donors and healthcare partners and like Bank of America and Yale New Haven Health.
• Virtual Learning Support: For remote learners in Kindergarten to 12th grade, UWCFC has provided a virtual tutoring program, a STEM enrichment workshop, and camps in robotics and engineering. These innovative offerings were made by the Greater Bridgeport STEM Learning Ecosystem, an initiative of the United Way’s flagship collective impact movement, Bridgeport Prospers.
• Freshly made lunches: Over 3,000 lunches delivered to hungry neighbors in 3 towns, through a partnership with Sikorsky Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin Company.
• Connections to Resources: Through the 2-1-1 Infoline, United Way has fielded over 86,0000 service requests from Fairfield County residents in the past twelve months.

These supports were made possible through grants, partnerships, local fundraising, and state-wide relief efforts.

United Way Board Member Lyn Salsgiver Kobsa reflected, “Throughout the pandemic, our United Way has worked innovatively and tirelessly to ease the burden shouldered by our neighbors. Together with our partners, we will overcome this crisis and keep building more equitable and resilient communities — where all our neighbors have the opportunity to thrive.”