A Fairfield official is donating his town salary to help families and businesses in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

Fairfield Selectman Tom Flynn makes about $13,000 a year for the part-time elected position. It comes to a little more than $800 per month after taxes, but Flynn says he isn't taking any of it home.

"I was inspired by a lot of the good deeds I saw fellow citizens doing, and I didn't run for selectman to get a paycheck," said Flynn.

Flynn is giving half to the nonprofit Operation Hope, which works to wipe out hunger and homelessness in Fairfield.

Executive Director Carla Miklos says Operation Hope is seeing an unprecedented number of people in need, so Flynn's generosity makes a difference.

The remainder of Flynn's salary is being donated to a fund for businesses that have had to close or limit operations, like Country Cow Deli.

Owner Kathy Koulogianis has benefited from that fund.

The fund was started by the owner of Turnpike Spirit Shop, Parag Patel, whose liquor store remains open.

Patel keeps a bucket at his checkout counter, where customers can round up their purchase total or donate however much they want to help support local businesses affected by the closure order. The recipients change every couple days.

"So far I've done about a month and a half's worth," says Flynn. "I'll contribute until the pandemic's over and the businesses are allowed to open back up and Operation Hope is in good shape."