Honoring the Memory of Our Friend, First Selectman Bill Gerber


Local Student Brings “Roots & Shoots” Joy to Community Kitchen Guests
Local student Mia has been making beautiful valentines for the past few years to gift to our Community Kitchen guests who join us for lunch and dinner on Valentine’s Day.
This summer, she wanted to make her own Roots & Shoots project, addressing conservation and the environment while focusing on humanitarianism (which has been challenging for an 11 year old!). She found an idea online, and added some inspirational sayings on the sweet candy butterfly wings.
Mia enjoys helping people and knows spreading kindness and being nice makes people feel good. We are grateful for our littlest helpers and knowing that people like Mia are here, sharing kindness and joy in our community. Thank you, Mia!
Happy 4th of July!
Office, Food Pantry & Community Kitchen Closed for 4th of July
Operation Hope’s business office, Food Pantry and Community Kitchen will be closed Friday, July 4, in honor of the 4th of July. The Pantry will also be closed Thursday, July 3. The business office, Food Pantry and Community Kitchen will resume regular hours on Monday, July 7. Have a safe and happy holiday!
Seeking Food & Toiletry Donations for the Pantry
– Ground coffee
– Shampoo
– Conditioner
– Deodorant
– Body wash
– Toothpaste
– Shaving cream
– Cleaning products
– Toilet paper
– Paper towels
Morgan Stanley Fairfield Office Gives Back: Makes Bagged Lunches for Operation Hope
At Morgan Stanley, June is Global Volunteer Month. While supporting the communities in which Morgan Stanley employees live and work is a priority year-round, the firm kicks up its efforts in June, leveraging the power of its employees to strengthen their impact globally. We are grateful that Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in Fairfield selected Operation Hope as its non-profit partner for Global Volunteer Month. 10 employees of the Fairfield branch gathered to make 38 bagged lunches for our Community Kitchen guests. Lunches included a sandwich, a piece of fruit, a bag of chips, a cookie or granola bar and a bottle of water. We always appreciate these meals our guests can grab and go, especially as sometimes, it is the only meal they may eat that day. Thanks to Morgan Stanley Fairfield branch for feeding our hungry neighbors!
CT Extreme Hot Weather Protocol Activated
Beat the heat and try to stay cool! 🥵 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.
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 it’s 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 you’re interested in doing so for a meal in the future, please email us at info@operationhopect.org. 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 Hope’s 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.
OFFICE & FOOD PANTRY
636 Old Post Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
203-292-5588
info@operationhopect.org
OFFICE & DONATION HOURS
July 11 - August 29:
Monday - Thursday, 9:00am - 5:00pm (donations accepted until 4:30pm)
Friday, 9:00am - 1:00pm (donations accepted until 1:00pm)
Please do not leave donations unattended at the door or 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, CT 06824
203-254-2935
COMMUNITY KITCHEN HOURS
Meals served Monday - Friday:
- Lunch: 11:30am - 1:00pm
- Dinner: 5:30pm - 6:30pm
STAY IN TOUCH