Greenwich residents John and Liz Norfleet Dietl are humbled by the support of local businesses in response to their homeless outreach that began on Thanksgiving Day 2020, repeated on Christmas Day 2020, and will next occur this Sunday, February 14, 2021.
Joined by friends from Harvest Time Church and with arms full of donated food and personal care necessities, they reach out to the homeless in Stamford.
Harvest Time Church is providing gift cards and blankets this Sunday; Joe Studio Café in Old Greenwich is baking special sweet treats for the holiday; and each homeless person will receive a Love Can containing essentials including toothpaste, a face mask, hand sanitizer, power bar, water, and socks, donated by Empowering Through Beauty and Tanisha Akinloye.
Delicious sandwiches and desserts for the Christmas outreach were donated by the Cos Cobber, Pasta Vera, Lugano, Garden Catering, and Joe Studio Café, and were gratefully received.
The group of volunteers asks recipients if they’d like a blessing, and the many who respond in the affirmative share a moment of prayer.
“Even when local businesses are suffering, they recognize the need in our greater community and selflessly donate to those who have fallen on even harder times,” says organizer Liz Norfleet Dietl. “This outreach has been such a blessing to the homeless, many of whom are hopeless. We just need to love on them! When I asked one homeless woman how I can pray for her, she said, “I just want to be around people that loving and caring.”
For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; Matthew 25:35
Community members who are interested in helping the homeless in Stamford and surrounding towns either by joining the group or by donating goods or funds are invited to contact Liz Norfleet Dietl at liznorfleet777@gmail.com.
