💛 Our Story: From One Act of Kindness to a Statewide Mission

My name is Latasha Townes, and I founded Hartford Lending Hands Inc. in November 2013, right from my parents' home—with just one mission: to help families in need during Christmas.

It all started from a very personal place. One year, I found myself unable to give my child the Christmas they deserved. I searched everywhere for help—called around, asked organizations—but came up empty. My heart broke. As a mother, there’s nothing more painful than feeling like you’ve let your child down.

Then, out of nowhere, a stranger showed up—offering gifts, kindness, and hope. I never forgot them. Their act of love lit a fire in me. I realized, there are so many families like mine—quietly struggling, wishing for a little help and a little hope.

That year, I gathered my husband, my sisters, my nieces, and my parents. We rallied together, and “Christmas Help” was born. That first year, we made magic happen for a few families. Every year since, we’ve been growing that magic.

Over the years, Hartford Lending Hands has evolved into so much more than just holiday help. We’ve expanded to meet the year-round needs of families across Connecticut, through programs like:

🧺 Community Closet – Providing free food and clothes
💡 Hardship Program – Helping families avoid eviction or utility shutoffs
🎄 Christmas Help – Ensuring every child feels joy during the holidays
🧠 Autism & Me – A support group for parents of children with autism
💼 Young Moguls Inc. – Empowering youth to become entrepreneurs

In 2021, we officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, but truthfully—we’ve been doing this work since day one, with our own money and the help of close friends and family who believed in the mission.

Today, we’re proud to say we’ve touched hundreds of lives. But the truth is—we need your help to keep going.

❤️ Why We Need You

As we continue to serve more towns and families, the demand is growing. Like many grassroots nonprofits, we rely heavily on volunteers, but passion alone can’t cover training, program materials, rent, or bills.

Your donation helps us:

Cover basic operational costs (like office space, phone, transportation)
Hire part-time support to expand our capacity
Fund program supplies and emergency assistance for families
Keep our pantries stocked and doors open

We’ve been running on love for 11 years—but now we need fuel to go further.

🌟 Be a Helping Hand

If you've ever needed a little support... or wanted to be someone's answered prayer... now is your moment. Your gift—no matter the size—helps us keep lifting families up, spreading love, and reminding Connecticut that someone cares.

Please donate today. We’re here because of people like you.

Help Hartford Lending Hands ❤️ Connecticut

By Hartford Lending Hands Inc

Help Hartford Lending Hands ❤️ Connecticut

Help Us Spread ❤️ Across Connecticut

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