Norwich — The Unitarian Universalist Church of Norwich has no home, active membership of only about 15 people and no permanent pastor right now.

But what could be one of the city’s smallest congregations has made a big impact on three local organizations that serve people in the city, the region and across the world.

The church congregation agreed to donate $15,000 to Norwich Human Services to help city residents facing hardships because of the coronavirus. The church also donated $2,000 to the Three Rivers Community College Student Emergency Fund, which helps students with sudden financial emergencies, such as child care or car repairs.

The church, which has close ties with the group American Friends of Kenya, added $3,300 to that organization, a locally based charity assisting people in the poorest regions of Kenya.

“It’s a testament to what a small and mighty church like ours can do when we put our minds to it,” UUCN member and public relations volunteer Dianne Daniels said. She added that she hopes other local churches will follow UUCN’s example and help support local people in need.

The Unitarian Universalist Church normally rents space for weekly services in the Central Baptist Church in Union Square in downtown Norwich, having sold its former church at 148 Broadway in 2009 for $275,000. But the Baptist church closed its building temporarily in March because of the coronavirus, so services went online, Daniels said. The church took a summer hiatus from even online services for July and August, but members volunteered with the Norwich community meal service, recently providing sandwiches from Poppy & Rye Bake Shop in Taftville to the now-takeout community meal.

With no monthly rent payments due and currently no regular pastor, UUCN found itself with unspent cash on hand, Daniels said, and decided to dip into the reserves to help others during these difficult times.

“UUCN is digging deep into its resources to make this contribution,” church board member Wayne Silver wrote in a letter accompanying the donation to Norwich Human Services. “We recognize that many people in Norwich are hurting now as a result of COVID-19 and its brutal effects on every part of community life. We want to make a meaningful donation.”

Norwich Human Services Director Lee-Ann Gomes said the church asked that the money be used for Norwich residents who do not qualify for other assistance or who have needs beyond what other assistance can provide.

“We know that the Unitarian Universalist Church has dug deep to provide this level of assistance and it could not have come at a better time,” Gomes said. “We are inundated daily with people who have tragic stories of how their life has been affected by the virus. The need is great, and we do not have the resources to meet all of the requests.”

Jodi Calvert, associate dean of Student Services, said Friday the Student Emergency Fund predates COVID-19, but has been critical during the pandemic. The fund helps students with short-term needs, recently including grocery gift cards now that the college food pantry is closed, helped one student with a deposit for a new apartment for her and her children, and helps with transportation needs.

“Just those short-term things that crop up that prevent our students from attending to their classes,” Calvert said. “We were really appreciative when Wayne Silver contacted us and made the donation. We anticipated there will be many more in need. These expenses are immediate.”

Silver said he was grateful that the small Unitarian Universalist congregation could help people “who are hurting and struggling” both locally and in Kenya.

“We recognize that we are part of the global community as well as the one nearby,” Silver said.

c.bessette@theday.com