Human Services for March 2023

‍Masks and COVID Test Kits available:  Contact Woodbridge Human Services if you would like to pick up a few medical, or KN95 masks.  COVID home test kits are also available.  Please no walk-ins.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA):  Tuesdays, 9 am - 12 pm. VITA is a free tax preparation service available to individuals who are income qualifying, to people who have a disability, and to those who speak limited English.  For more information regarding required tax documents and to schedule an appointment, call 203-389-3429.  The program will run through April 11.

Energy Assistance Program:  Human Services is accepting appointments for residents applying for the 2022-2023 CT Energy Assistance Program administered by TEAM, Inc.  Income eligibility requirements must be met.  For information or to schedule an appointment, call Judi Young at 203-389-3429.

Food Pantry:  Residents in need may call for access to non-perishable food each month.  If interested in donating, the food pantry needs coffee, canola and olive oil, jams/jellies, canned chicken, laundry soap and personal hygiene products such as deodorant, toothpaste, razors, and shampoo.  With imminent changes in Federal Food Assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), it is anticipated that food banks will have to help families bridge the gap.  Donations of gift cards to local grocery stores are also welcome.

Birthday in a Bag:  Human Services is providing a new way to give back to the community.  The Birthday in a Bag program collects common items used for celebrating a birthday and provides a bag with these items to local families in need.  Please consider donating to this program- it’s a great way to make a positive impact on a local family.  Requested items for each gift bag are cake mix and frosting, candles, birthday decorations and party plates, cups, and napkins.  Please check expiration dates and make sure all packaging is sealed.

Needed!  Medical Loan Closet:  Transport wheelchairs, in good working order, are needed for the Medical Loan Closet.  Please contact Human Services to donate.

Survey Participants Wanted:  Woodbridge’s community partner TEAM, Inc. has asked for assistance from residents to complete their 2023 Community Needs Survey.  The survey includes questions regarding jobs, childcare, health care, and more.  Please use this link,  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D5ZT5JT if you are interested in helping with this agency’s direction in the years ahead.  Respondents will be entered in a raffle to win a $100 gift card!

How to help earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria:  Many of us are wondering how to help the people in Turkey and Syria who have been affected by the February 6 earthquake which devastated vast regions of both countries.  The 7.8-magnitude earthquake has claimed the lives of over 47,000 people.

While there are lists of charitable and humanitarian organizations that are part of the relief effort, to one Woodbridge couple, the mission to help is personal.  Ilknur and Eser Akdeniz of Woodbridge are from Iskenderun in Hatay Province on the Mediterranean Coast of Turkey.  In February 2023, Iskenderun was heavily damaged by earthquakes and subsequent floods and fires.  It was one of the hardest hit locations with a high death toll and much infrastructure destruction.

Ilknur and Eser are collecting medical supplies, blankets, baby clothes, baby food, hygiene kits, feminine hygiene products, coats, socks, underwear, and thermal clothing  They plan to send all the collected supplies directly to their region for distribution there.

Emergency donation collection boxes are located inside the Town Hall at the front entrance and inside the Center Building gym entrance through March 31.