News Archives - The Friendship Center

Tool Drive!

To ensure that our properties are well maintained, the Friendship Service Center relies on an assortment of tools and supplies. Items can be new or gently used. Do you have any tools to donate or have questions? Contact Joe Waite, our director of facilities, at jwaite@fsc-ct.org. Thanks so much for your donation – big or…

Local Couponer Spreads Awareness of FSC

“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”- Maya Angelou Sarah Campbell, a coupon enthusiast who has been donating to The Friendship Center to help those in need, makes a difference and spreads awareness to the meaning of giving back. Her father has been her inspiration that started her on her journey in couponing and generosity.…

New Britain Donates $81,000 for new Day Center

The city of New Britain presented the Friendship Service Center with a check to support the new Day Center that is currently underway. The $81,000 check will be used for “the build-out of a new homeless individuals’ day center on Arch Street,” Mayor Erin Stewart said. The space will be completed in July and will…

Client Success Story: March 2022

“Do not give up; the beginning is always the hardest part.” – Anonymous In July of 2021, SOAR Program Coordinator Eileen Ayala received a call from a distressed mother of a 51 year old female. She explained that her daughter was at risk for homelessness, and that she had to move out of her apartment. …

From the seeds of an idea, a beautiful garden blooms

Evelyn Anderson and Bonnie McNair wiped dirt from their gardening gloves and their brows as they surveyed the finished courtyard border garden that they andother Friends of the Friendship Service Center created through weeks of work. The idea for the garden began when Ana Trammell, Program Coordinator, attended a Friends meeting and said several residents…

Connecticut Food Bank / Foodshare Walk Against Hunger

The Connecticut Food Bank / Foodshare Walk Against Hunger is the largest anti-hunger event of its kind in Connecticut. This year the Connecticut Food Bank and Foodshare have combined organizations and have organized the statewide event as a cooperative effort with local partners to raise funds and awareness. This year the Walk will take place…

South Church makes 10,000 PB & J Sandwiches

Since March 2020, South Church volunteers have been making and packing 200-300 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every week, along with a snack or two, and delivering them to the Friendship Service Center to hand out with their grab and go hot lunch as a meal for later. South Church turned to this form of…

‘Bunnies for Hunnies’ deliver Easter joy

Each Easter season, approximately 50 stuffed rabbits “hop” into the arms of children who are assisted by the Friendship Center. These new friendships are made thanks to “Bunnies for Hunnies,” a Newington-family organization that was started eight years ago by the Vass family. At that time, the twin daughters, Julianna and Elaina Vass, collected 50…

Warming Center recaps winter 2021 season

As springlike temperatures arrive, memories are fading of the coldest days of the yearwhen the Friendship Center helped people in need at the Warming Center. Located at57 Arch St., the program was opened in response to the state’s Cold Weather Protocolput in place on Dec. 16, 2020. From Jan. 4 until it closed on March…