(Submitted Photo)

NORWICH – With Thanksgiving just a week away, Norwich’s Helping Hands is scheduled to give out a variety of food and hygiene products Thursday night to families in need.

According to Norwich Helping Hands Organizer Lorri Race, the group will be holding their giveaway night at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Norwich YMCA.

Race said the mission of Helping Hands in Norwich was designed over a year ago to be two-fold: to meet the needs of the community and to bring awareness to the community that there is a need.

“The hope was that community members, agencies, and businesses would want to help their own without being solicited or asked,” said Race. “Fortunately, this community hasn’t disappointed.”

Race said items being handed out will be a Thanksgiving food bag, Chobani yogurt, gallon of milk, hygiene and cleaning bags, and pet food. She said it will be a drive through event due to COVID-19 restrictions, and parking attendants will be directing vehicles on where to go.