The Newtown Fund is asking community members to help make the holidays special for local residents in need by donating to the annual Holiday Basket Program.

Individuals, families, and groups are needed to donate gifts, make a financial donation, or adopt a family by providing them with a holiday meal and gifts for their family members. The Holiday Basket program is a community-wide effort organized by The Newtown Fund each year.

Linda Bates, president of The Newtown Fund, said holiday baskets were provided to 93 households in Newtown last year.

“In addition to 104 adults, those households included 80 children and 56 seniors,” Bates added. “Due to the sharply rising cost of living we anticipate that this year we will have even more families in need of assistance.

“Baskets will be delivered to families on December 16, 2023. It is not too early to think about how you can help bring joy to a family in need during the holidays,” she said.

There are several ways the community can help to make this project a continued success.

“Adopt” a family in need by providing a complete holiday meal and gifts for each family member.

To adopt a family, visit thenewtownfund.org/adopt and fill out the online form. Volunteers will be contacted when a family is assigned to them.

Make a financial donation.

This will help purchase necessities and food needed to complete holiday baskets. Tax-deductible checks can be made payable to The Newtown Fund and mailed to PO Box 641, Newtown CT 06470-0641. Donations can also be done online at thenewtownfund.org.

Donations to assist during the 2023 season are requested by December 4, to allow enough time to allocate donations where they are needed the most.

Donate gifts.

To see the current list of items in need or other gift suggestions email the Newtown Fund at newtownfund@gmail.com.

To Receive Assistance

Readers who need assistance, or know of others who would like to be a recipient of the Holiday Basket Program, are invited to contact Newtown Social Services at 203-270-4330 as soon as possible.

Newtown Social Services handles applications to make sure people qualify for assistance. When appropriate, they will make a referral to The Newtown Fund.

About The Newtown Fund

The Newtown Fund serves the crisis needs of individuals and families in the Newtown community who are looking for somewhere to turn.

The Holiday Basket program is a community-wide effort organized by The Newtown Fund each year. Countless Newtown residents, businesses and organizations generously donate time and resources to support Newtown families in need during the holiday season.

The Newtown Fund, Inc was incorporated on April 19, 1959. It was founded by Joseph Chase and the Reverend Cullens to provide emergency relief to Newtown citizens in need. In its early days, The Newtown Fund provided seed money for the Town of Newtown to hire its first social worker and for the establishment of Newtown Youth Services, The Children’s Adventure Center, the senior center, Nunnawauk Meadows, and The Family Life Center.

Working with Newtown Social Services, The Newtown Fund acts as a safety net and support to Newtown residents by paying for food, fuel assistance, utility bills, rent and medical expenses. The Fund’s most significant activity is the Holiday Basket program in December, but The Newtown Fund works closely with Newtown Social Services to also provide year-round emergency assistance.

The Newtown Fund is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization and therefore, all donations to The Newtown Fund are tax deductible.