May 2025 Newsletter
Hands On Hartford’s Cold Weather Program Offers Warmth, Hope, and a Path Forward

This past winter, Hands On Hartford (HOH) launched a critical Cold Weather Program with support from our community partner, Journey Home. From early January through early April 2025, we provided safe, temporary housing at the Travel Inn Motel, Hartford, for unsheltered individuals—prioritizing those over 50 and those with chronic health or mobility challenges. Over the course of the season, 16 individuals found not just shelter, but also support and connection. Led by Stephanie Boyce, LCSW, Director of Homeless Prevention, Outreach & Food Access Programs, our Outreach team and other HOH staff were on-site daily to provide case management, connect participants to medical care, and help them work toward stable housing. Guests were welcomed with daily snacks and enjoyed hot meals
Monday through Thursday, thanks to our Gather55 Day Restaurant— offering both nourishment and a sense of dignity during the harshest months.
Partnerships Update
Gengras Center Gets It Done!

HOH team members were so excited to join the Gengras Center at their Annual Spring Festival, where they witnessed a marathon of change making! While students and staff completed laps around their courtyard, to help raise funds for Hands On Hartford, others stopped at our table to drop off over 600lbs of food and 130 toiletry items. Thanks to the tremendous kindness of the Gengras Center, all items collected will go to benefit our MANNA Community Pantry! We are so grateful to have such an incredible team like the Gengras Center by our sides! Their enthusiasm in our mission continues to shine a light in our community.
Our Shelves are Stocked Full of TOILETRIES

All thanks to the wonderful team at The Hartford. A huge THANK YOU for their incredibly generous donation of 200 toiletry kits packed full with needed items. These kits will go such a long way in supporting our neighbors in need through our MANNA Community Pantry and Homeless Outreach Programs. Your kindness is making a real difference!
HOH in Action!
Walk Against Hunger
Hands On Hartford joined Connecticut Foodshare on April 26th to WALK AGAINST HUNGER once again! The light rain didn't put a damper on the day...or on our spirits! We had 70+ people, including 8 of our amazing Board members, raising funds for Hands On Hartford. Despite the weather, most showed up, ready to represent a cause that is near and dear to all of our hearts - providing food security for our neighbors in need.
We are grateful for our nonprofit partner, Connecticut Foodshare, for hosting this annual event and bringing together 60+ nonprofits to stomp out hunger. Together, we can make a real impact for our community!
Thank you for all of the wonderful support from so many of you over the past several weeks. We look forward to announcing our fundraising grand total soon!
And we have great news- if you didn't get a chance to make a gift, you still can until May 10th. Help us get to our goal of $43,000 - all monies raised will go directly to supporting our MANNA Community Pantry and Backpack Nutrition Program!
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU!
We have such an amazing community of supporters. We couldn't do what we do without all of you.

Faith In Action

THANK YOU to First Church in Windsor, for their incredible support of our Walk Against Hunger efforts and their sponsorship of our Easter Community Meal!
Not only are our friends at First Church in Windsor incredible Gather55 volunteers, they're amazing partnership continuously pushes our mission forward. We're sending a special thank you for their generous donation to our Hands On Hartford Walk Against Hunger team, contributing a total of $1,000 towards our fundraising
goal! AND it doesn't stop there! We also thank them for their recent sponsorship of our Easter Community Meal. Thank you First Church, for helping us build community and share meals with all who joined us for the holiday!
Easter Community Meal

We were so HOPPY to come together this past Easter for a HEARTy community brunch alongside our wonderful Hartford neighbors... and the Easter Bunny!
We were joined by 24 volunteers and together we served 157 meals, which consisted of french toast casserole, egg quiche, home fries, beef kielbasa, fruit salad, and a blondie for dessert.
Thank you to First Church in Windsor and University of Saint Joseph for helping to make the day a success! First Church of Windsor helped sponsor the event and USJ provided Easter goodies to share with guests! Thank you to our amazing team for sharing their holiday at Hands on Hartford!
Save The Date!
Hands On Hartford is Hiring!
Hands On Hartford, in partnership with others, strengthens community in Hartford by responding faithfully to people in need through programs that change lives and renew human possibility. We are committed to increasing food security and nutrition, improving health and providing housing while we engage volunteers and connect communities.