FOOD PANTRY

Operation Hope’s Food Pantry provides over 150,000 meals a year to our neighbors in need. Each month we provide food to more than 800 local households. The Pantry is almost completely stocked and run by generous and dedicated volunteers. The Pantry serves residents in the following towns: Fairfield, Southport, Easton and our clients who live in Norwalk and Bridgeport. Residents must show ID.

No one should have to worry about putting food on the table. Our volunteer-run and operated food pantry assists families in meeting their basic food needs, and also to connect them with other resources which help eliminate their food insecurity. One of the primary ways in which our food pantry assists people is that it allows them to focus on stabilizing other areas of their lives. For some of our clients, our Pantry supplements what Food Stamps and WIC do not cover, like toilet paper, toothpaste and diapers. For most others, it simply helps to make ends meet when they have to choose between paying rent or a heating bill or going to the grocery store for food.

The majority of the food donations we receive come from generous members of our community.  Among the ways in which we are able to secure food for our shelves are:  school, church, and corporate food drives, individuals may solicit large food and/or personal products donations from companies, the Annual Letter Carriers Food Drive in May, financial contributions directed specifically to the food pantry, and many other community-driven projects. Once we receive the donations, our dedicated volunteers sort and stock the shelves and distribute food and other necessities to clients.

COMMUNITY KITCHEN

Lunch and dinner are served at our Community Kitchen at 50 Nichols Street to our neighbors in need Monday-Friday, 52 weeks a year. Lunch is from 11:30am-1pm and dinner is from 5:30-6:30pm. Anyone who is hungry may receive a meal, which is prepared and served by generous volunteers.

At our Community Kitchen, a team of volunteers cook and serve hot, nutritious meals to an average of 50 individuals, Monday-Friday, 52 weeks a year. Lunch and dinner times are subject to change on holidays or during inclement weather. Please call the 50 Nichols street location directly at (203) 254-2935 for up-to-date information.

We are fortunate to receive donations of meals from churches, synagogues, school groups, individuals and families. Individuals and groups do the cooking and serving, as well as donate the food for each meal. Some tips for donations:

• Donations are accepted at 50 Nichols Street Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm. The Community Kitchen is closed Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
• Please do not leave food outside the building during business hours and when the building is closed.
• We cannot accept opened leftovers, such as party or event leftovers. This is to preserve the health and safety of our Community Kitchen guests.
• For all details, including instructions, quantities, meal suggestions, timing of drop off and labels to affix to dishes, please contact Michelle Stearns (see bellow).

If you are interested in contributing a meal to feed 50 people, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Michelle Stearns at [email protected].