Though there is likely to be more families in need not just of holiday cheer, but basic necessities this winter, local charitable organizations led by Guilford Social Services will be unable to collaborate on the annual food basket drive, instead asking anyone who is able to donate grocery store gift cards in the interest of public safety.

At the same time, the Guilford Police Department (GPD) is asking for gift cards of all kinds in lieu of toys or other gifts.

Social Services Director Tammy DeFrancesco said that it was a difficult and painful decision to make, after she discussed possibilities with other local leaders over the last couple months and finally determining there simply wasn’t a way to have volunteers wrap up and deliver actual baskets of holiday food without risking transmission of the virus.

“I kept thinking, ‘I just can’t put people’s health at risk,’” she said. “The best way I could possibly do this is by gift card. We probably work the weekends with the baskets with at least 100 volunteers...I can’t have people keep going in and out of stores, I can’t have people working together that closely.”

GPD also cited safety in a Facebook post announcing its decision, saying that “this year just has to be a little different.”

“But Guilford always rallies for its own and every year brings happiness and joy to hundreds,” the post continued.

All kinds of gift cards are appreciated, according to the post, from Amazon to local restaurants and shops.

Both food baskets and toy donations have a long history in the community. For close to 25 years, local businesses and generous members of the community—including many young volunteers in the schools—have helped collect foodstuffs and holiday treats every winter, distributing curated baskets to about 150 Guilford families near Christmas and Thanksgiving.

But this year, while DeFrancesco said she imagines the community will still come together to support those struggling, it will not look quite the same as the town continues to contend with the pandemic.

The Thanksgiving distribution will take place on Monday, Nov. 23 in front of the Community Center, according to DeFrancesco.

DeFrancesco said explicitly she cannot accept any individual food donations, even as people have offered them. What exactly will be possible will depend on how many gift cards are donated, with the potential that Social Services could purchase a few turkeys or special items themselves to put together more personal gifts.

A couple organizations, including the Guilford High School Stick Club, have run fundraisers to collect a few specialty items in bulk, according to DeFrancesco, but she reiterated it wouldn’t be safe to have the average person trying to bring in a box of food donations.

Seniors will receive an actual basket to ensure they don’t have to risk going to a grocery store themselves, but Social Services will ensure that those are put together in a way that is safe, according to DeFrancesco.

“The less hands the food passes through, the safer everyone is going to remain,” DeFrancesco said.

She also said that finding volunteers has been a struggle, with many of Social Services’ usual helpers being forced to stay home due to health concerns, and the Guilford Food Bank only able to field a dozen regular helpers in a given week. Many projects, including the Guilford Food Bank, continue to struggle to find enough volunteers to keep up with the needs of the community, as DeFrancesco and the two other Social Services staff have had to personally step in to help out, she said.

Though it isn’t entirely clear exactly how many families will be in need, with a greater demand anticipated at the Christmas event in late December, DeFrancesco said she thinks people in town will step up and make sure there are enough gift cards to go around, as well as when helping hands are needed in other ways.

“The Guilford community is incredibly generous with their time [and] monetarily—they have big hearts,” DeFrancesco said.

Grocery gift cards can be mailed or dropped off at Guilford Social Services at 263 Church Street. Denominations of $10, $15, $20, and $25 are preferred. GPD is accepting cards at the police station, 400 Church Street.

Residents can also call Social Services at 203-453-8009 for more information on programs.