STAMFORD — Pitney Bowes Inc and the Workplace Volunteer Councils of Fairfield County (WVC) have developed a “Suds-to-Go” program to provide personal care items to people in need.

Donated items filling more than 1,000 toiletry bags were collected during the past year by employees of local companies and volunteer group members. Among the items are soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other toiletries, many of which were collected during business travel. Cablevision of Connecticut in Norwalk provided storage space for the items during the collection, and Pitney Bowes provided the toiletry bags.

The collected products will be distributed this month to area shelters, soup kitchens, crisis centers and other non-profit organizations. As the program continues, the toiletries will be distributed on an ongoing basis.

The “Suds-to-Go” program was developed through the joint effort of Pitney Bowes, the Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County, the Voluntary Action Center of Mid-Fairfield, and Cablevision. The program’s goal is to show businesses and individuals that even small efforts can produce significant results that help enhance the quality of life in the region.

“We are thrilled by the strong response to the ‘Suds-to-Go’ program and the support shown by employees and volunteers throughout Fairfield County in making the program such a success in its inaugural year,” said Polly O’Brien, director of community affairs, Pitney Bowes. “Caring for our communities is a core value of Pitney Bowes and its employees. We proactively seek new ways to help local residents and see participation in the ‘Suds-to-Go’ program as a way of reaching out to even more people in need. We look forward to the program’s continued success.”

Local corporations joined forces to support the initiative, including NSS/Summit Bank, Perkin Elmer, GE capital, People’s Bank, GTE, International Pharmaceutical Research, New Sub Services, and Pepperidge Farm. Other groups contributing to the project are Community Volunteers in Action and Adult Volunteers in Action.

To participate in the “Suds-to-Go” program, contact the Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County at 203/348-7714 or the Voluntary Action Center of Mid-Fairfield at 852-0850.