Founded in 1989, Gifts of Love is a non-profit organization started when a woman living in Simsbury witnessed friends who had been laid off struggling to make ends meet. She bought extra food and collected hand-me-down clothing and stored them in her garage for her friends to take. The operation has since expanded and now has at least 105 volunteers, 35 of whom are Avon High School students, who collaborate with Gifts of Love as a part of a community service requirement. Gifts of Love, which partners with local food pantries in Avon, Farmington, Canton and Simsbury, as well as Food Share, as part of the Farmington Valley Hunger Collaborative, collects food, household items, linens and clothing for working families in need. Gifts of Love also receives organic food for distribution from a local community farm. Applicants can contact Gifts of Love to inquire about eligibility.
Gifts of Love, which used to be located near the Avon Police Department, is now in Old Avon Village, off Route 44.