“It was heartwarming to see how much it meant to people to receive even the smallest gift of food,” said Kim Morgan, chief executive officer of United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC). “Even the cashiers, who very clearly had a personal connection to those being helped, were so appreciative and moved at the acts of kindness. We are grateful to PriceRite for letting us come into their store to surprise their customers. Their entire team was a pleasure to work with.”
Morgan surprised more than 40 customers at the check-out counter on Feb. 9, by offering to pay for their groceries.
UWWC paid for almost $2,000 worth of groceries for shoppers at the Main Street PriceRite throughout the day thanks to a donor who wanted to directly assist struggling families.
UWWC works with ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households working paycheck-to-paycheck that are unable to afford basic necessities such as food, healthcare, housing and transportation.
Acording to the United Way ALICE Report published in November 2014, one in four households in Connecticut have income between the Federal Poverty Level and basic cost-of-living threshold. Thirty-five percent of Danbury households experience difficulty in making ends meet.
Scott Sniffen of Sniffen Pictures in Southbury filmed and produced a short video capturing the reactions of shoppers receiving the free groceries.
“Local non-profits like UWWC can find it challenging to find funds to engage professional media services,” said Sniffen. “Sniffen Pictures is honored to help spread awareness regarding ALICE.”
For additional information on United Way of Western Connecticut, how to help, get help and to view the video, visit: www.uwwesternct.org/kindness.
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