To the Little Bit Community:

At the start of every year, we develop a theme that we all can rally around throughout the year. When we settled on “Together” for 2020, we had no idea of the significance of that word just a few weeks into the year. While we practice social distancing for the health of our loved ones, neighbors, our community, in a way, we may be closer than ever as we navigate uncharted, ever-shifting waters. We are in this thing called life together – through good times and bad, uncertain and unprecedented – and we will get through this latest trial together. In the middle of chaos, I’ve also witnessed some beautiful gestures and I encourage you to reach out to others feeling vulnerable at this time with your hearts, your words, your help in ways you feel able to do so.

Little Bit is a service organization, and as such, our role is to serve, to be ready, to be willing, to be adaptable, and to be there for our students. While that may look different for the next few weeks, we are still committed to responding to their needs, which are only intensified by the disruption in their normal routine and support services. (Currently, the majority of our schools have a tentative return date of April 6.) We have reached out to district and school leaders, as well as our program affiliates, on how we can get creative and continue to work together to fill in the gaps for students and families in the interim. Some of the requests, so far, have been for food items, hygiene products, books, and school supplies to support home learning, which our staff is distributing to designated locations. As everyone is, schools are adjusting daily and we have promised to work alongside them – in whatever form that takes – through the duration. Partners stick together.

Several of you have asked how you can be of help to Little Bit, and we can’t thank you enough for thinking of us and our kids at this time. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our Little Bit community, we have decided to suspend all volunteering – including groups – as well as donation drop-offs and visitors to our office until April 6. (We will communicate any change to this return date as we get closer.)

While volunteering may not be an option, we continue to need your financial support. We have thoughtfully and responsibly managed Little Bit for nearly 20 years, including through a major recession, but none of us can predict the timetable or outcome of this unique period in time. The knowledge that you are behind us and are committed – in good times and bad, uncertain and unprecedented – is the greatest gift you could provide.

Thank you and be well,

Rosemary Hanley
CEO and Co-Founder