Blog - Operation Hope of Fairfield

Happy Labor Day!

Sep 7, 2026

Labor Day is a day to celebrate the achievements and hard work of America’s workforce. We thank and support all the workers who help our neighbors in need. You empower us to help people solve their crises and build stability in an environment where compassion inspires dignity and hope.

In observance of Labor Day, our office at 636 Old Post Road, as well as our Food Pantry and Community Kitchen, will be closed Monday, September 7. The office and Community Kitchen will reopen for regular hours Tuesday, September 8 and the Food Pantry will resume regular service, 10am-12pm, Wednesday, September 9. Donations will be accepted once the office reopens on Tuesday. Please do not leave doantions unattended. We wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday 🇺🇸

Labor Day Closure

Sep 3, 2026

Help Fill Our Pantry Shelves with Much Needed Items

Sep 2, 2026

If you’re stocking up on your pantry basics, please take a moment to help our neighbors in need. Our most pressing needs are cash, checks and grocery store gifts cards, which allow us to purchase fresh produce, dairy and meat for our clients.

Regular sized items (not bulk) appreciated. Drop off at our pantry M-Fr, 9am-4:30pm at 636 Old Post Road; there’s a drop off area to the left of the building. Please ring the bell and someone will greet you. Please do not leave donations unattended and when the office is closed. Monetary donations are always welcome so we can purchase exactly what we need for our clients, donate here. Or, feel free to purchase from our Amazon wish list here and your donation will be shipped directly to the pantry. Thank you!

– CASH, CHECKS, GROCERY STORE GIFT CARDS (to buy perishables)

– Popcorn

– Nuts & Dried Fruit

– Cookies, Crackers & Snacks

– Gluten Free Items

– Cat & Dog Food

– Shampoo

– Conditioner

– Body Wash & Bar Soap

– Cleaning supplies

– Paper Towels

Happy Back to School from Your Friends at Operation Hope!

Sep 1, 2026

We at Operation Hope of Fairfield welcome everyone back to school here in Fairfield today and in the surrounding community in the coming days! 🍎✏️📗To our many friends in the various nursery, elementary, middle and high schools and beyond, to all teachers and school staff, and to the many PTA and PTSA organizations, we are grateful to you every day for reaching out a hand to help our neighbors in need. By collecting non-perishable food items, running cereal, toiletry and diaper drives, preparing meals and donating money, you remind our Pantry clients, Community Kitchen guests and housing clients every day that someone cares. This year, may you have terrific teachers for a meaningful learning experience, wonderful friends and a super school year in every way possible! 🏫

Littlest Neighbors In Need Ready for Back to School

Aug 31, 2026

We are so grateful to the teams and clients at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC and Paul Albert Salon for putting together a wonderful back-to-school donation! Thanks to their generosity, our clients with students are heading back to school fully stocked with new backpacks and supplies!

Though we aren’t currently hosting an active school supply drive, spontaneous acts of kindness like this truly highlight the spirit of our community and make a world of difference for local families preparing for a successful school year ahead

We are always deeply grateful for our community’s support! While our school supply needs are covered for this academic year, drop us a DM if your organization would like to coordinate a drive for our ongoing community initiatives. Thank you again to everyone at both companies who pitched in to make this lovely donation happen!

Meet Jamila Malines, Community Kitchen Coordinator

Aug 19, 2026

Feeding a community takes more than passion – it takes hard work, seamless logistics and a commitment to helping our neighbors in need thrive. Meet Jamila Malines, Operation Hope of Fairfield’s Community Kitchen Coordinator!

Jamila has been with us for almost 2 years, and in that short time, has made a tremendous impact. Jamila is a culinary school graduate and has held several positions prior to this job, including as Chef at New Beginnings Family Academy in Bridgeport and Garde Manger Cook at New Canaan Country Day School.

Though Jamila found her work with children deeply fulfilling, she felt called to support her community in a new way by joining Operation Hope.

What makes this role so important to her is the reminder that food is just the doorway; human connection is the real nourishment. Jamila says, “People come to us from all walks of life and from all over, not just here in Fairfield, and are often at their most vulnerable. When we offer a nutritious meal alongside unconditional dignity and a friendly voice, we aren’t just feeding our neighbors in need – we are letting them know they are not alone.”

And Jamila is not alone in the Community Kitchen – she is grateful for the staff here who helps run the operation so smoothly, including Veronica, Jaime, Eneisha, Damien, Benny, Sylvester, Rob, Ron and of course, the recently retired Mr. Lonnie. She also appreciates the many volunteers who provide and serve meals every day.

Every meal – lunch and dinner 5 days a week – is provided by volunteers. There is no government funding for the Community Kitchen. Operation Hope relies 100% on the generosity of our friends, and every day in the Community Kitchen proves that small, intentional acts of compassion build a stronger, kinder community.

Support our Community Kitchen here with a donation, any amount is welcome and appreciated.

Donate to Help Fill our Pantry Shelves

Aug 3, 2026

Regular sized items (not bulk) appreciated. Drop off at our pantry M-Th, 9am-4:30pm and Fri, 9am-1pm at 636 Old Post Road; there’s a drop off area to the left of the building. Please ring the bell and someone will greet you. Please do not leave donations unattended and when the office is closed. Monetary donations are always welcome so we can purchase exactly what we need for our clients, donate here. Or, feel free to purchase from our Amazon wish list here and your donation will be shipped directly to the pantry. Thank you!

– CASH, CHECKS, GROCERY STORE GIFT CARDS (to buy perishables)

– Stew

– Rice

– Ramen

– Sugar, flour & oil

– Dry cat food

– Shampoo

– Conditioner

– Deodorant

– Feminine (period) pads

– Cleaning supplies

Networking Fundraiser to Benefit Operation Hope a Success

Jul 31, 2026

✨Oh, what a night! ✨Last night’s networking fundraiser hosted by VTB Financial Group to benefit Operation Hope of Fairfield and Wakeman Boys & Girls Club was a huge success! An evening packed with meaningful conversations, new connections and giving back to the community made it an impactful evening for all. Many thanks to Zucca Gastrobar in Westport for hosting, Lonny McGee of VTB Financial for organizing and being the brains behind the event, FELO Fairfield Professionals and Fairfield Chamber of Commerce for their partnership, sponsors VTB Financial Group, Advanced Dentistry of Fairfield County, Alves Insurance LLC, Engage PEO, Prestige Cabinetry & Design and Awe Snap Photography for their support and all guests for making this an event to remember! And thank you to our enthusiastic staff members Tanya Flynn and Denessa Pack for representing Operation Hope of Fairfield 🫶

July Summer BBQ for Community Kitchen A Real Treat

Jul 16, 2026

When you think of summer, what comes to mind? For many of us, it’s the smell of smoke on the grill, the sound of laughter in the backyard, and plates piled high with burgers, hot dogs and fresh produce

But for many in our community, summer looks very different. We are grateful to a special group of friends, through Neighbors Helping Neighbors – Fairfield & Southport, who help us turn a tough time into a time of relief and community once a month during the summer. These monthly BBQs are a so appreciated by our Community Kitchen guests. And this month’s was no exception! Fresh burgers, fresh corn, baked beans, salad and more rounded out the table. Thank you to all who donated and served, in particular Helene Daly, Alexis Harrison, Carol Canzoneri, Karen Benway, Brooke Pastor, Marlene Battista, Debbie Goldstein and Josie Elms

Let’s make sure everyone gets a taste of summer this year. No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Keep an eye out for the sign up for the next BBQ on August 7!

Helene Daly

In Need of Full-Size Paper Grocery Bags for Pantry Clients

Jul 9, 2026

As you’re doing your grocery shopping, we would appreciate any paper grocery bags you can spare! We’re in need of full-size brown paper grocery bags to pack groceries and essentials for our Food Pantry clients. Handled and handle-less paper grocery bags are appreciated! We do not need take-out bags, Target bags or reusable bags at this time. Please drop off Monday-Thursday, 9am-4:30pm & Friday, 9am-1pm @ 636 Old Post Road, Fairfield. Please do not leave donations unattended. Thank you for helping us feed and care for our neighbors in need!

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