CT Extreme Hot Weather Protocol Activated
Beat the heat and try to stay cool! š„µ Governor Ned Lamont is advising Connecticut residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable, to take precautions ahead of the extreme temperatures that are forecast to impact the state beginning Sunday, June 22. The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for most of the state through Wednesday, June 25. Cooling centers are opening across Connecticut. Anyone in need of a place to get out of the heat can locate their nearest cooling center by calling 2-1-1 or viewing the list that is published online at 211ct.org.Ā
Juneteenth: Striving for a More Equitable World
Juneteenth marks the day (June 19, 1865) when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom is a journey, not a destination. Let’s continue to strive for a more equitable world, while honoring the past, celebrating the present and building a better future for all.
Our business office, Community Kitchen and Food Pantry will be closed today in recognition of Juneteenth National Independence Day. We will resume normal operations on Friday, June 20. Donations will be accepted once reopened. Thank you.
Friends Gather to Make Community Kitchen Meal
It’s always great when group projects work out well! When we announced in late spring that our Community Kitchen was in need of volunteers to provide dinner for dates this summer, we were fortunate that our call was answered by so many generous friends.
In addition to the individuals who signed up to help cover summer meals, we also had a few groups raise their hands to help – church groups, book clubs and friend groups. In particular was a group of friends who met when their children were in elementary school and this is the third summer where they collaborated to provide a meal. While itās fun to make a meal together, sometimes the reality of that actually happening is impossible. That’s when it comes to group project time! 24 lbs of BBQ pulled chicken, rolls, a tray of roasted veggies, a huge salad with all the fixings, 3 trays of pasta salad, homemade cookies and lemonade made up the meal to serve 50 people on June 12. Thanks so much to Tracey Altieri, Heather Arabadjis (+ special helpers), Liz Chatel (+ special helpers), Carla & Mike Patrona (+ special helper) and Sonal Rajan for making a delicious meal for our Community Kitchen.
We share this story because it is so much easier to make a meal or part of a meal when coordinating with friends. If youāre interested in doing so for a meal in the future, please email us at [email protected]. We will respond with further details and answer any of your questions. We serve lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday, throughout the year at the Community Kitchen. All of these meals are donated and served by volunteers. We are always in need of meals throughout the year, and unfortunately the number of guests who dine with us continues to rise. Thank you for helping feed our neighbors in need!
Office, Food Pantry & Community Kitchen Closed for Juneteenth
In recognition of Juneteenth National Independence Day Operation Hopeās Food Pantry, Offices and Community Kitchen will be closed Thursday, June 19, 2025. We will resume normal operations and acceptance of donations on Friday, June 20, 2025. Thank You.
Fairfield Dog Days this Sunday!
Sunday is really going to (finally!) feel like the dog days of summer! 
Come on out to Fairfield Dog Days, June 22, Old Town Hall Green, 11am-4pm for this pawsitively fun event for the whole family! 
Sponsored by Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and Pet Pantry Warehouse, the event features: Dog Lovers Lure Coursing ā¢ Face Painting ā¢ Caricature Artist ā¢ Bone Bar ā¢ Ice Cream Pawlour ā¢ Sniffari ā¢ Doggie Beer Garden ā¢ Food Trucks ā¢ Splash Park & more! This āultimate furry FUN-draising eventā benefits Woofgang and Co., Operation Hope and Adopt-A-Dog.
We Scored Big with Your Support!
Although it rained (again) last Saturday, the Goals for Goals Crossbar Challenge at the OlĆ© Monroe Outdoor Facility was a success! Continuing into Sunday, the event had great turnouts on both days! This fundraiser for Operation Hope was organized by students Alexa Pino and Julia Nunes. The young ladies’ goal was to use their love for soccer to make a difference ā½ļøā¤ļø And they sure did! They raised $1,765 to help our neighbors in need. We are truly honored and grateful Alexa and Julia chose Operation Hope as the beneficiary of the event. Also thanks to Hazy Blu BBQ food truck and OlĆ© Monroe for their support of this event. Alexa and Julia, you inspire all of us by applying your passion to our cause to end hunger and homelessness! Thank you!
Early Summer āRefill the Pantryā Drive for Operation Hope a Success
Thanks to the incredible dedication of 40 volunteers from “Refill the Pantry,” a collaboration of local churches, and the Columbia Alumni Club of Fairfield County, their food drive held last Saturday at the Stop & Shop on Kings Hwy for Operation Hope’s Pantry was a remarkable success.
The two groups collaborated to collect an impressive 3,400 pounds of food. They also raised $1,400, providing vital support for families facing food insecurity in our community.
This event marked a milestone in the “Refill the Pantry” mission:
- Most volunteers ever at a single collection
- Second largest food donation in their 4 year history
- Third largest financial contribution out of their 26 total collections
For context, in 2023, it held two collections for Operation Hope totaling 3,540 pounds. “Refill the Pantry” is excited to announce it’ll be returning for a second collection for Operation Hope on September 20, and it is aiming even higher!
The “Refill the Pantry” program is profoundly grateful for the steadfast support of its sponsoring congregations: First Presbyterian (Fairfield), Our Saviourās Lutheran (Fairfield), Grace Lutheran (Stratford), and Good Shepherd Lutheran (Monroe). Their continued dedication, generosity and faith have been the heart of this mission, empowering the program to care for those facing hunger with love and dignity.
A heartfelt thanks also to the many Fairfield congregations whose contributions made an extraordinary impact. Whether by providing volunteers, organizing in-house food drives or delivering donations directly to Operation Hope, their partnership truly brought the “Refill the Pantry” mission to life. Special appreciation goes to Black Rock Church, City Coast Church, Or Hadash, Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, and Trinity Episcopal Church for their remarkable commitment to this shared calling.
We are deeply grateful for the help filling our pantry shelves from all of these groups. Summer is a tough time for our clients, as our pantry donations wane during the slower months. Yet, we still need to feed our families and individuals. The donations collected last Saturday will help sustain our neighbors in need in the near term. Thank you to all the volunteers, donors and Stop & Shop!
Bud Wilkinson of Ride-CT.com Covers 9th Annual CT Seaport Car Show
Award winning journalist, Bud Wilkinson of Ride-CT.com, spent far more time than he planned at the Connecticut Seaport Car Club‘s 9th Annual Antique and Classic Car Show Sunday at Ludlowe High School. How could he not, with all of the gorgeous cars on display and the entertainment from Jukebox 45 Show Band that performed 50ās & 60ās favorites? Thanks to Bud for sharing his excellent photo gallery which really showcases the beauty of all of the cars on display! Check out the gallery here. Thanks to the CT Seaport Car Club, all of the sponsors – Danbury Dodge Jeep Kia; Joe Pramer and Rick Krollman of Morgan Stanley in Fairfield; Z2 Motorsports; MGM ATM Service & Supply; Fairfield HamletHub and ConnectFairfield – the Town of Fairfield, Fairfield Parks & Rec, the car entrants, entertainment and attendees. We are grateful for all of you as together, we continue to fight to end hunger and homelessness, one person at a time.Ā
Recap of CT Seaport Car Club’s 9th Annual Car Show to Benefit Operation Hope
Thanks to Volunteers For Sorting Postal Drive Donations
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And a huge thank you to Fairfield letter carrier Mike Capodicci and all of the Fairfield & Southport letter carriers, to the Town of FairfieldĀ and to all of YOU who generously left donations by your mailbox.
OFFICE & FOOD PANTRY
636 Old Post Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
203-292-5588
[email protected]
OFFICE & DONATION HOURS
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
(donations accepted until 4:30pm)
Please do not leave donations at the door when the office is closed.
PANTRY HOURS
- Monday, Wednesday & Friday:
10:00am - 12:00pm - Thursday: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
OUTREACH & COMMUNITY KITCHEN
50 Nichols Street
Fairfield, CTĀ 06824
203-254-2935
COMMUNITY KITCHEN HOURS
Meals served Monday - Friday:
- Lunch: 11:30am - 1:00pm
- Dinner: 5:30pm - 6:30pm
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