Reflecting on World Homeless Day

Friend of Operation Hope Raises Money In “Cycle to End Hunger & Homelessness” from New Haven to Boston

Oct 20, 2026

Mission complete! Our friend Matt Rommens cycled his way from New Haven to Boston earlier this year for Operation Hope! Matt wanted to channel his cycling passion into something greater, something for the community. As a Fairfield resident, Matt is aware of Operation Hope’s longtime work to end hunger and homelessness. He decided to raise money to support our work by riding his bike 150 miles from New Haven to Boston Despite the snow and cold, Matt persevered and raised $2,933 to help our neighbors in need. Thank you, Matt, for helping our neighbors in need in this unique way, we are grateful for friends like you!

October “Refill the Pantry” Collaboration Fills Pantry Shelves in a Big Way

Oct 14, 2026

Thanks to the dedication of volunteers from “Refill the Pantry,” a collaboration of five local churches, its food drive held October 10 at the Stop & Shop on Kings Hwy Cutoff for Operation Hope’s Pantry was a tremendous success. We are indebted to Refill the Pantry and its volunteers, all donors, Stop & Shop on Kings Hwy Cutoff, and Thrivent for continuing to help our neighbors in need.

With beautiful weather and plenty of enthusiasm, 34 volunteers collected an incredible 3,197 pounds of groceries and also raised $1,228, providing vital support for families facing food insecurity in our community. Thank you to the community for responding with incredible generosity! Because the group collected over 500 items, Thrivent will contribute an additional $500 to our Pantry. What a difference we’re making together! We are deeply grateful to be included in this outreach effort of community, collaboration and connection.

ABOUT REFILL THE PANTRY

Now in its fifth year, Refill the Pantry is spearheaded by the First Presbyterian Church (Fairfield), Our Saviour’s Lutheran (Fairfield), Holy Cross Lutheran (Trumbull), Grace Lutheran (Stratford), and Good Shepherd Lutheran (Monroe). This year, the initiative will conduct 19 collection events to support 11 local food pantries, ensuring food assistance reaches families in Bridgeport, Brookfield, Fairfield, Monroe, Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull and Westport.

Refill the Pantry is sponsored by Thrivent, a Minneapolis-based Fortune 500 financial services company that helps build, grow and protect financial well-being through purpose-driven advice, investments, insurance, banking and generosity programs. Thrivent serves more than 2.4 million clients through thousands of financial advisors across the country and has more than $193 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/24). Thrivent carries strong financial ratings from independent rating agencies – including AM Best, Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings – which demonstrate the company’s financial strength, stability and ability to pay claims. Ratings don’t apply to investment product performance, and more information can be found on each rating agency’s website.

⛳ Thank You for Making Our Annual Golf Outing a Success ⛳

Oct 13, 2026

On Monday, October 5, a group of enthusiastic supporters of Operation Hope of Fairfield gathered together on a gorgeous fall day at the stunning Country Club of Fairfield for our Annual Golf Outing, teeing off to end hunger and end homelessness in our community. With your support, we can continue to help provide clinical support, housing affordability, food and hope for the future for those experiencing hunger and homelessness.

THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

TITLE SPONSOR: Jersey Mike’s Subs Fairfield

Beverage Sponsor: The DiNardo-Aiello Family Fund

Birdie Sponsor: Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market

Community Links Sponsor: Connecticut Seaport Car Club

Eagle Sponsor: Champion Maintenance & Construction

Fairway Sponsor: PNC

Golf Swag Sponsor: Minuteman Press of Fairfield, CT

Longest Drive Sponsor: AT&T

Lunch Sponsor: Turner Construction Company

Putting Contest Sponsor: Steve & Julie Pressman

Reception Sponsor: Global Infrastructure Partners

“Hole for Hunger” Sponsors: Marlene & Richard Battista, The Cannon Family, CAPRI Clothing, ConnectFairfield CT, First Church Congregational, The Fucigna Family, Goldman Gruder & Woods, wmloeber.com, NATIVE, LLC, Ruscito Resolutions Junk Removal, SHU Dining, Susan Seath, KMS Team @ Compass, Union Savings Bank, The Yawn

GRATITUDE ON THE GREENS

Everyone who made our Golf Outing possible knocked it out of the park, or course, this year! Thank you for pulling together to make the event a success: Tournament sponsors, “Hole for Hunger” sponsors, players, Golf Outing Chair and Board Member Peter DiDimenico; Board Treasurer and Country Club of Fairfield sponsor Tim Clark; Country Club of Fairfield staff and golf team; Operation Hope staff, Operation Hope Board Members and volunteers; and Mike Lauterborn/@Fairfield HamletHub for photos. A very special thanks to Operation Hope Advisory Board Member Sharon Risley, Operation Hope Board Member Joan Ryan and Events Manager Suzanne Francis for sharing their time and talents with us. And also, thanks to our generous “Chance to Win” prize donors!

The event promised a day “filled with fundraising, fun and great golf” – and it delivered on all of that, and more. Visit the Facebook post here to see the photos from the day (courtesy of Fairfield HamletHub).

We are grateful to you as we rely on your support now, more than ever. Please support us here. The demand for food and services continues to increase tremendously. We are filling the needs of our regular individuals and families, elderly, disabled, as well as the unemployed, right here in our own town. You are giving a vulnerable population the opportunity for positive and lasting change – and directly breaking the cycle of homelessness.

We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Golf Outing!

Closed Today for Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Oct 12, 2026

Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which acknowledges the history, culture and ongoing resilience of Indigenous peoples in the United States and the Americas. In observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, our office at 636 Old Post Road, as well as our Food Pantry, will be closed today, Monday, October 12. The office and Community Kitchen will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, October 13 and the Food Pantry will resume regular service, 10am-12pm, Wednesday, October 14. Donations will be accepted once the office reopens; please do not leave them unattended and while the office is closed. Thank you.

Oct 10, 2026

Reflecting on World Homeless Day…A Message from Operation Hope of Fairfield’s Executive Director, Fernando Muñiz:

October 10 is World Homeless Day – a time when communities around the globe reflect on what it means to ensure every person has a safe, warm and stable place to call home and food on the table.

Here at Operation Hope of Fairfield, this day always brings a mix of deep gratitude and intense reflection. Every single day, our team works hand-in-hand with men, women and families who are navigating the immense hardship of housing instability and food insecurity. We witness remarkable resilience, transformation and hope right here in our town.

Please see this opinion piece I wrote to commemorate World Homeless Day here.

Thank you for standing with us through the easy days and the challenging ones. Your support, patience and commitment allow us to keep doing this essential work.

Closing Early Today, October 9

Oct 9, 2026

In observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, our office and Food Pantry at 636 Old Post Road will close at 2pm today, Friday, October 9. The office, Pantry and the Community Kitchen at 50 Nichols Street, will be closed Monday, October 12. The office and Community Kitchen will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, October 13 and the Food Pantry will resume regular service, 10am-12pm, Wednesday, October 14. Donations will be accepted once the office reopens; please do not leave them unattended while the offices are closed. Thank you.

Indigenous Peoples Day Closure – October 12

Oct 7, 2026

In observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, our office and Food Pantry at 636 Old Post Road will close at 2pm on Friday, October 9. The office, Pantry and the Community Kitchen at 50 Nichols Street, will be closed Monday, October 12. The office and Community Kitchen will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, October 13 and the Food Pantry will resume regular service, 10am-12pm, Wednesday, October 14. Donations will be accepted once the office reopens; please do not leave them unattended while the offices are closed. Thank you.

Hygiene Drive Organized by Middle School Student Runs through Oct 16

Oct 7, 2026

Vara Kapoor, a sixth grader at Fairfield Woods Middle School, is running a hygiene drive through October 16. Period poverty affects about 16.9 million women in the United States. Every donation can help someone feel more supported, confident, and cared for

Through this drive, Vara is hoping to spread awareness and collect as many hygiene products as possible to help the people in our community who need them the most. SNAP benefits do not cover these very expensive hygiene items. Please help our neighbors in need so they don’t feel like they have to go without in favor of other household essentials.

Drop off in Fairfield through October 16:

Fairfield Public Library

Fairfield Woods Branch Library

Black Rock Pediatrics (1817 Black Rock Turnpike, Suite 206).

You can also order items on Amazon and send them directly to Vara here. Thanks to Vara for bringing attention to this important initiative and to you for your help!

Thank You for Making Our Golf Outing a Success

Oct 6, 2026

Thanks to everyone who made yesterday’s Annual Golf Outing a success! The weather was gorgeous, the setting of The Country Club of Fairfield was just spectacular and the spirits were high (as well as the balls flying in the wind)! If you couldn’t make it, we invite you to make a donation of any amount to help us end hunger and homelessness, one person at a time. Donate here. More to come shortly! Thank you!

CIRCOLO Pop Up Shop Oct 3 + 10 – 10% of Sales Donated to Operation Hope

Oct 1, 2026

Join The Fairfield Women’s Exchange on Saturday, October 3rd and Saturday, October 10th, 11am-3pm for a pop-up with CIRCOLO Get a head start on holiday shopping and grab these one of a kind pieces for someone you love – or yourself! 10% of sales will be generously donated to Operation Hope. Thank you CIRCOLO and The Fairfield Women’s Exchange We are ever so appreciative of the small businesses who support us in big ways!

« Older Entries

Recent Posts

STAY IN TOUCH