Volunteers from Kerry Bioscience assisting with last month's Helping Hands giveaway. The last giveaway night of the year will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 19 in front of the Norwich Family YMCA. (Photo from the Helping Hands Norwich Facebook page)

NORWICH — Local nonprofit Helping Hands will be hosting their last giveaway night of the year at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 19 in front of the Norwich Family YMCA, located at 68-70 North Broad Street in Norwich.

The monthly giveaways provide food, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, pet food, and more to anyone who stops by, no questions asked.

Volunteers assemble bags of items and set up stations in front of the YMCA, where individuals can walk or drive through to pick up what they need.

"As the year 2024 comes to a close, Helping Hands celebrates four years of serving our community. This journey has been made possible by the unwavering generosity and collaboration of our local agencies, churches, and individuals. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who has joined us to make a difference," said Helping Hands Founder Lorri Race.

The organization was founded around January of 2020, and since then has not only helped countless community members, but has also become a shining example of community togetherness. Local individuals, organizations, businesses, and churches have gotten involved by providing donations as well as teams of volunteers.

In the past, Helping Hands has received assistance from NYCM Insurance, cvFree Church, Chobani, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, the Broad Street United Methodist Church, Valley Ridge Center for Intensive Treatment, Kerry Bio Science, Perkins School of the Arts, Achieve, Grand Union, the Northeast American Dairy Association, the Norwich Family YMCA, and many more.