OLD LYME POLICE THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE 
for Lyme – Old Lyme families in need
Saturday November 11, 2018 0:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 14, 3:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 17, 10:00 to 2:00 p.m.
at Old Lyme Marketplace near Big Y
Old Lyme Police Officers will be conducting their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive at the Old Lyme Marketplace on Halls Road near the Big Y. All food donated will be forwarded to the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau for distribution to families in need. Food will also be given to stock the pantries at Lymes’ Senior Center and the Town of Old Lyme Social Services.  Donations of non-perishable food can be brought directly to the Old Lyme Police Department, 294 Shore Road, or to LYSB, 59 Lyme Street between November 12th and November 19th.  Families who are in need of food should contact the LYSB at 860-434-7208 x0. Thank you to our Old Lyme Police Officers for their support of the L/OL Community!

HOLIDAY GIVING PROGRAM 2018
LYSB coordinates the Holiday Giving Program in cooperation with the Social Services Departments of both Lyme and Old Lyme, and the Lyme-Old Lyme Public Schools.  The holiday season is a time for caring and sharing, but can be especially difficult for families facing extreme financial challenges. If you would like to help struggling neighbors in our community during the holidays please contact LYSB.  There are several ways you can help local families:

• “Adopt” a family and we will give you a wish list with items and sizes to purchase.
• Make a general donation to the program and let us decide where to best direct the donation.  Donations can be made securely online by clicking here,  or you can mail a check to LYSB, PO Box 589.  Please indicate this donation is to be used for Holiday Giving.
• Gift cards are the number one requested gift.  Our families request gift cards to grocery stores, gas, and stores where teens like to shop (mall stores, etc.)  Call us for suggestions if you need help.

To learn more contact  LYSB: 860-434-7208 or email mseidner@lysb.org   Many organizations, businesses, and individuals help us each year to assist more than 40 L/OL families with more than 100 children.  If you are a family in need and would like to receive help this holiday season, please contact LYSB.  All inquiries are confidential  860-434-7208.

GIVING TREE TAGS:  If you picked up a tag from one of our “Giving Trees”we thank you!  Please bring your item to LYSB by December 13th.    The #1 request we see from the childrens’ wish lists is gift cards.   If you need gift ideas, please call us at 860-434-7208 and we are happy to help! 

DO YOU NEED HELP WITH ENERGY OR FOOD?
All inquiries are confidential.
Please call LYSB at 860-434-7208

LYSB CAN HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES SUCH AS:

• Energy Assistance
• Food Stamps & WIC
• Groceries
• Warm The Children (clothing allowance)
• Holiday Giving Program
• HUSKY insurance
• Case management
• Parenting support for special situations
• CT Works (a partnership of agencies providing services and resources for job seekers at no cost)

Call LYSB and we will help you to navigate the resources available to you. 860-434-7208.

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:
TVCCA www.tvcca.org. Thames Valley Council for Community Action is a private, non-profit corporation that has been providing social services to the region’s economically and otherwise disadvantaged citizens of New London County for 45 years

Info Line – call 211 www.infoline.org telephone based information, referral and crisis intervention
Listing of all agencies in Lyme and Old Lyme providing services to families in need:

Town of Lyme Homepage

Town of Old Lyme Social Services 860-434-1605 x228

Community Resources Roundtable Compendium

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SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS Available to Lyme and Old Lyme Residents Contact LYSB for assistance with all programs  860-434-7208

SHORELINE SOUP KITCHENS (Grocery Distribution & Meal Sites) L/OL residents can receive GROCERIES once a week at any of the five sites on the shoreline, and/or MEALS at a different site each day of the week.  Full schedule and details available at Shoreline Soup Kitchens or contact LYSB 860-434-7208 for more information.

CT ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM This generous program helps income-eligible households pay a portion of their heating bills. You may apply through TVCCA in New London 860-444-0006, or OL Social Services 860-434-1605 x228, or call LYSB at 860-434-7208 with any questions and we can help you get started.   The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) serves low income households in need of assistance for their home energy bills. The program goal is to assist low income households who pay a high proportion of their income toward fuel bills. Priority is given to “vulnerable households” made up of young children, elderly or disabled individuals.   MORE INFO

WARM THE CHILDREN This helpful program from the Rotary Club gives families a generous $90 stipend per child to purchase coats and other winter clothing. Contact LYSB at 860-434-7208 to be referred. 

HUSKY Healthcare Connecticut children and their parents or a relative caregiver; and pregnant women may be eligible for HUSKY A (also known as Medicaid), depending on family income.   Uninsured children under age 19 in higher-income households may be eligible for HUSKY B (also known as the Children’s Health Insurance Program).  Depending on specific income level, family cost-sharing applies. MORE INFO

CARE 4 KIDS Care 4 Kids helps low to moderate income families in Connecticut pay for child care costs (day care, babysitters, after school care).  MORE INFO

EVICTION/FORECLOSURE PREVENTION Mediation with landlord and tenant.  Call us to learn about specific criteria needed to meet the guidelines for this program run by TVCCA in New London.  More Info 

CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM (School Lunch Program) Free or reduced lunch. Contact your School Psychologist. Easy and confidential.

SNAP (Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program) This federal program can make a big difference in your weekly grocery bill. Recently the guidelines have changed to allow more families to be eligible and to receive greater benefits. Clients are given a monthly allowance on a debit card.  Confidential.

WIC Program: A Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children The WIC Program is federally funded through the Connecticut Department of Health and provides nutrition for Women, Infants and Children. TVCCA is the local agency providing the service for the towns in New London County.  MORE INFO

HOME VISITS (Parents As Teachers) Contact LYSB at 860-434-7208. Personal visits during which a parent educator will share age-appropriate child development and parenting information, help you learn to observe your child, and address your parenting concerns. Pre-natal to age 5.