Community Food Drive in Canton Saturday, Get Help With Your Heating Bill

November 6, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

As you can see from the graphic above, the House will be in session next week.

This is what is considered a "special session" because it happens outside of our usual timeframe of short or long session. The much-anticipated housing bill will be on the agenda, as well as funding to help our state mitigate some of the changes coming out of the current federal administration. Other items for the agenda are being finalized this week.
 
Monday, I had the opportunity to spend time at the Avon Senior Center as the Department of Public Health, in conjunction with the Connecticut Aging and Disability Services Bureau of Aging to not only recognize National Alzheimer's Awareness Month and National Caregivers Month, but also to announce their new Caregiver Guide. I've provided a link and more information in the section below.
 
This Saturday, I hope you'll consider stopping by Shop Rite in Canton to support the food drive I am hosting with Shop Rite and Gifts of Love, two amazing community partners. Please consider donating Shop Rite gift cards as those help the pantry "fill in the blanks" on their shelves and in their freezer.
 
Don't forget to check out the new website on how to donate to community causes in Avon and be sure to take the survey from the Office of Early Childhood on how to shape early childhood services in Connecticut.
 
Finally, I'd like to wish all veterans who served a Happy Veterans' Day, especially my husband, Allen, who was a Navy Corpsman attached to the Marine Corps. I'll be thinking of my favorite veteran, my grandfather, who served in the Navy in World War II. Thank you all for your service and commitment to our country and freedom.
 
Have a great week,

Eleni

Community Food Drive in Canton 

I hope you'll join me in helping fill the shelves of Gifts of Love during our upcoming food drive at Shop Rite.

Special thanks to the Joseph family and their team for always stepping up for our hungry neighbors.

Some of the items that the pantry needs are:

  • Pasta and pasta sauce
  • Jelly
  • Cereal and oatmeal
  • Mayo, ketchup, mustard
  • Soups and broth (no glass, please)
  • Shampoo, deodorant, body wash
  • Canned soup (no glass, please)

You can purchase these the day of the food drive, or if you are unable to make it that day, purchase them and drop off at Gifts of Love in Avon at 34 E. Main Street.
 

 Favarh and Hurricane Melissa 

Favarah staff and individuals are standing in support of people and families affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

If you're interested in joining them, please consider donating the following:

  • Non-perishable food items
  • Toiletries
  • Diapers/Wipes
  • Medical Supplies
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Flashlights/Batteries

*All contributions should be sent to Favarh Programs by Friday, November 7th. Items will be delivered to an established donation location.
 

Alzheimer's Awareness Month

November is newly proclaimed Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in Connecticut.
 
Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects about 90,000 Connecticut residents, and for every person living with the disease, there are countless family members, friends, and care partners who are providing ongoing support.
 
During the 2025 session, we passed legislation to ensure insurance coverage of biomarker testing starting next year and established the Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Task Force to examine needs and review available services, and also develop a State Alzheimer’s Plan.
 

New Resource for Dementia Caregivers

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Coalition and Workgroup created a wonderful new Caregivers Guide for those who are caring for family or friends with Alzheimer's or dementia.

These caregivers provide $5.3 billion in uncompensated care, with 130,000 caregivers and over 205 million hours of their time.

Two-thirds of the caregivers are women, and one-third of the caregivers are daughters.

If you or someone you know would like to get a copy of the guide, you can find it HERE. The guide is available electronically, or if you scroll to the bottom of that page, you can request a written copy.
 

 Get Help With Your Heating Bill 

During the fifth annual Heating Assistance Awareness Month this November, Avon and Canton are partnering with Eversource to raise awareness of the programs available to help pay or lower heating bills, and keep homes warm this winter. 

If you or someone you know is struggling to keep up with their energy bills, now is the time to get assistance this winter heating season.

There is a plan for everyone, including:

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP):

  • Apply to get up to $645 towards your heating bill from CEAP. Apply for CEAP online at CT.gov/heatinghelp or through your local Community Action Agency (CAA). Find your local CAA at 211.ct.org or call 211. 

Energy Efficiency: 

  • Take advantage of Eversource’s energy efficiency programs, incentives, and tips to help you save money and reduce your overall energy use during the colder months. Renters need permission from their landlords to participate.  

Winter Protection:

  • If you provide proof of qualifying household income or public assistance benefits you receive for at least one household member, your service cannot be shut off between November 1 and May 1.

To find the right options for you, click HERE to learn more about these programs. You can also find your local CAA for assistance at 211ct.org or call 211.
 

The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses.
 
Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.

All GPCT energy programs are available to income-eligible households making up to 75% SMI gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill.

For the best chance of approval, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant, GPCT strongly encourages households to apply for assistance when they are most in need. GPCT has two Energy Assistance Application Cycles coming up, including Nov. 2-10 and March 2-10, 2026.

To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, please click HERE.
 

New Webpage Helps With Donating 

Avon's new webpage helps you help your neighbors. Please click on the Patch article below for more details, including the website, which can also be accessed HERE.
 
 

Office of Early Childhood Survey

The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is seeking parents and caregivers of children between the ages of 0-5 to help improve programs and early childhood services.

Take the quick survey and share your needs for childcare, experiences with early childhood services, challenges faced when accessing care, and what matters the most when it comes to childcare. 

You can use the QR code on the flyer below, click HERE, or click the graphic below for the survey. For questions, call 860-249-1551.
 

Gen Z Virtual Listening Session

The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity (CWCSEO) is hosting a special VIRTUAL listening session for those who identify as GEN Z - high schoolers, college students, young adults.

 November 16, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Please come ready to share about issues impacting you and your community. The information you share will be used to inform policymakers and CWCSEO's work and ensure that the voice of Connecticut residents is the commission's central focus and priority.

Register HERE. To learn more about CWCSEO, please click HERE. 
 

Thank You Veterans!

To the brave Americans who have helped preserve our freedom, the Connecticut House Democrats thank you for your service.

Did you know the Connecticut Legislative Office Building houses a permanent memorial to Connecticut’s veterans? Pictured here is the Connecticut Hall of Honor.

Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative

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