Pantry aims to furnish soap, toiletries

SHARON — A new Community Paper and Soap Pantry, run by the Sharon Congregational Church, will provide paper goods, soap and personal hygiene products to anyone in need in northwestern Connecticut and eastern New York. “There are a number of families in the area who have been impacted by financial challenges as a result of unemployment, including layoffs and downsizing, divorce, disability, health issues, domestic violence, homelessness, disasters, aging and the rising cost of living,” said the Rev. Jody Guerrera, associate pastor of the church. The pantry will gather, store and distribute goods to those finding themselves in times of special need and crisis. Donated items must be in new, unopened packages. Trial sizes are welcome. Needed items include disposable diapers (all sizes), paper towels, shampoo and hair conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes and floss, bars of hand and bath soap, dish detergent, laundry detergent, feminine products, cash donations and Amazon gift cards to purchase needed items. Several area business also have decided to help out. Sharon Pharmacy, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, donated 50 tubes of toothpaste. Employees at The Lakeville Journal Co. are collecting soaps and shampoos leftover from hotel stays.Readers may drop off unopened hotel soaps and shampoos at The Lakeville Journal office at 33 Bissell St. in Lakeville.A fundraising concert for the new pantry was held on Saturday, July 30, at the Sharon Congregational Church. “Hearts All Whole,” the theme of the concert, explored love as found in nature through German and American art songs of the 19th and 20th centuries. Performers were Allison Holst-Grubbe, soprano, and Michael Korman, pianist. For more information on the pantry or to make donations or contributions, call Guerrera at 860-806-0294 or email jodyquiltz@optonline.net.

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