Organization in Derby brightens holiday for less fortunate

DERBY - I visited the annual Easter food and gift distribution Tuesday afternoon at St. Vincent De Paul Helping Hands of the Valley thrift shoppe.

As in the past I was amazed at the amount of thought and hard work that goes into the creation of age and gender-appropriate Easter baskets for needy Valley residents. This year 150 families were served.

These photos show just a few of the gaily-wrapped baskets the staff prepared for the nonprofit's clients.

I tip my hat today to director Sandi Bailie, thrift shop manager Cindy Barbian, and all the volunteers who work tirelessly to make the holidays and every day brighter for those in need.

Derby-based nonprofit holds grand reopening today

The following is excerpted from a Facebook post by St. Vincent De Paul Helping Hands of the Valley thrift shop and food bank, 237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby.

"Come shop till you drop at our grand reopening today (Sept. 4). Shoppe hours are Monday through Saturday 9:30 - 2:30. Our racks are bursting with all new fall fashions for the entire family."

Go shopping and support a great nonprofit organization in the community!

Derby nonprofit seeks donations to aid food bank

This information is taken from St. Vincent De Paul Helping Hands of the Valley Facebook page:   

"St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Shop is in need of donations. All items sold through our shop goes to purchase food for the food bank. 

"We are accepting all items (except large furniture), but especially need household items, bric-a-brac, glassware, domestics (comforters, towels, blankets). 

"Hours: 9:30 - 2:30 Monday through Friday. Red bin on site for quick drop off."

The thrift shop is located at 237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby.

Derby nonprofit needs help to help others

I noticed this on St. Vincent De Paul Helping Hands of the Valley's Facebook page and had to share:

"Easter is just around the corner, in fact we are giving out on March 27 for our needy clients, BUT we are in need of filled Easter Baskets. (They) can be dropped off between the hours of 9:30 - 2:30 through Saturday... Help us to help others."


St. Vincent De Paul Helping Hands of the Valley, at 237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby, runs a thrift shop and food pantry and is always there to assist needy clients. 

Spring has sprung at SVDP thrift shop in Derby

Maybe the weather doesn't show it yet, but at St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Shop in Derby spring has arrived.

"We have done a whole revamp of the store, out with winter (and) in with spring," said shop manager Cindy Barbian. "The racks are bursting with all new spring and summer fashions for the entire family."

Customers who purchase $10 worth of merchandise will receive a stamp; when they fill up the card they will receive $10 worth of free merchandise.

Take a chance on a spring raffle, tickets are only five for $1.

Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The shop is at  237 Roosevelt Drive,
Derby. For information call 203-734-7577.

The shop is accepting donations of clothing, housewares, and miscellaneous items, Barbian said.

The organization also runs a food pantry and is in need of hams and Easter baskets to give out to its needy clients.

St. Vincent De Paul spreads cheer to Valley needy

William Smith of Ansonia loads wrapped packages Wednesday into the back of his pickup truck. He and his family received Christmas cheer, in the form of food and gifts, from St. Vincent De Paul Helping Hands of the Valley in Derby.

Stay tuned for a story about the nonprofit's annual Yuletide distribution.

Giving a helping hand in Derby

Jim Guarrera, center, hands a bag of groceries to volunteer Bill Steeves at Tuesday's St. Vincent DePaul Helping Hands of the Valley Thanksgiving distribution in Derby.

Guarrera, an owner of Carey and Guarrera Real Estate in Shelton, has coordinated volunteer efforts at the organization's Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter distributions for many years.
He recruits employees, Shelton High School students and community members to help give out food to needy clients.

Helping Hands of the Valley needs a hand

Shelves are bare at food pantry in Derby

Shelves in the food pantry.

DERBY - Cindy Barbian, manager at St. Vincent De Paul thrift shoppe and food pantry, said she has never seen their supply of non-perishable food items so low.
The nonprofit reopened last week after being closed for the month of August. On Thursday when I visited I saw there was a real shortage of staples such as soups, pastas, rice, cereals, canned fruits, and tuna. Barbian said the only item of which they have plenty at the moment is canned vegetables. But that stock will also start to dwindle as more and more families contact the organization.

The phone has been ringing off the hook, Barbian said. A lot of families are looking for food assistance, and the organization does not have much to give.


Barbian has put the word out that any donation would help the organization to assist the needy. She   is asking residents to keep St. Vincent De Paul Helping Hands of the Valley in mind when they go grocery shopping, and to pick up a few extra items to donate.

It would mean a lot to those who are truly in need.