Patch Picks: Five Great Nonprofits Making a Difference

1. Suffield Emergency Aid Association

Located at 450 South St., the Emergency Aid Association has been helping Suffield residents and others in need for 108 years. They operate a food bank, offer fuel assistance, provide medical equipment, give holiday baskets and backpacks full of school supplies and otherwise aid those in need.

2. Friends of Suffield

The Friends of Suffield raise funds and distribute them as grants to various worthy organizations in town. Previous grant recipients include Suffield Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Emergency Aid Association, Spaulding School, Kent Memorial Library, the Suffield Players and many more. The Friends also organize a yearly Senior Valentine's Social, an Easter event for kids and their major function of the year, Suffield on the Green. Their physical address is P.O. Box 43, Suffield.

3. Foodshare

Located at 450 Woodland Ave. in Bloomfield, Foodshare distributes more than 16 tons of food a day to the greater Hartford area. Foodshare has operated since 1982. Foodshare is a very efficient group as 94 percent of their resources go directly to fighting hunger.

4. Greater Enfield Arc

located at 75 Hazard Ave. in Enfield, the Arc advocates for people with developmental, cognitive and intellectual disabilities by promoting their full inclusion in local communities and protecting their rights.

5. SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Located at 935 Main St. in Manchester, SBM provides grants for the arts, education, health, housing and human services in Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties.