NORWICH – The Norwich Family YMCA and Helping Hands are working together to provide local people in need with goods including fresh food, hygiene items, drinks, and clothing for free.

According to Norwich Helping Hands Director Lorri Race, the organization is comprised of a group of volunteers helping to bring hope to the community by providing donated goods to those in need.

Race held a presentation Wednesday night at an Improve Norwich Now meeting.

Improve Norwich Now (I.N.N.) is a locally-born initiative that focuses on enhancing its community by bringing organizations, businesses, and residents together to effect real change in Norwich and the Chenango County area.

At the I.N.N. meeting, Race said on the third Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Helping Hands will be at the YMCA community room passing out donated food and other goods for free. She said all are welcome to receive, and that the first free giveaway event will be held on January 16.

“Helping Hands is modeled after Street Soldiers which is a grassroots organization founded in Albany, NY in 2016,” said Race. “In the past three years it has grown to the Schenectady and Troy areas.”