Blog - Operation Hope of Fairfield

It’s a Wrap for “Hope for the Holidays!”

Dec 5, 2025

It’s a wrap on our annual gifting program, “Hope for the Holidays!” We are overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity each of you showed in helping to make 2025’s “Hope for the Holidays” a success. We faced an unprecedented level of need this year, and you answered the call. Thank you to all of the individuals, book groups, friend groups, even a bowling group!, youth groups, church groups, synagogues, community groups and families for coming together to make the holidays brighter for 46 families and 84 individuals (2024’s program enabled us to gift 42 families and 66 individuals). We worked with about 115 point people, resulting in double that number for donors.

And once again, we held card making workshops, this time to coincide with the beloved children’s performer, Laurie Berkner Band at SHU Community Theatre on November 22 and at First Church during Winter Whimsy on November 29. Thanks to our friends who stopped by to create cheerful and festive cards to accompany the gift card packages.

Thank you for opening your hearts to brighten the holiday season for our neighbors in need.

Donors dropped off the gift cards earlier this week. The wish lists were matched with all of the donated cards, gift boxes were prepped, gift cards wrapped and then grouped by social worker. All of your donations were delivered to Operation Hope and are now being distributed to our clients.

Our deepest gratitude goes to our two angel volunteers, Meredith McCormack and Sheila Sullivan. Taking the reins of this gifting program for the third year, Meredith and Sheila effortlessly made “Hope for the Holidays” a success, giving hope and joy to our clients in another challenging year. If you’d like to participate in the 2026 program, please contact Meredith and Sheila here to be added to the email list. We welcome new friends! Everyone who donated and volunteered truly made a difference this holiday season and we can’t thank you enough. We wish you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons and a blessed 2026!

Severe Cold Weather Protocol through December 9

Dec 4, 2025

🥶🥶🥶Governor Ned Lamont announced that due to a weather forecast indicating that Connecticut will experience a blast of arctic temperatures averaging 10 to 20 degrees below normal over the next several days, he is directing the state’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol to be activated effective at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025, and remaining in effect through 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. This is the first time this season that the protocol has been activated.

Anyone in need of shelter or a warming center is urged to visit https://uwc.211ct.org/get-help/warmingcenters/ or call 2-1-1 find your nearest warming center. Transportation can be provided if necessary. Please stay warm and safe!

It’s Giving Tuesday!

Dec 2, 2025

It’s Giving Tuesday, a day of global giving! Consider local giving and help us end hunger and homelessness, one person at a time. We continue to see an increase in demand for our services. Any amount helps and you are making a difference. Consider giving here today, thank you

Happy Thanksgiving from Our Family to Yours

Nov 26, 2025

Thanksgiving is a special time to reflect on our blessings, gather with loved ones and express gratitude.

Here at Operation Hope of Fairfield, we are grateful for you. You are the core of our generous and loving community, and without you, we simply cannot do what we do. For over forty years, you have embraced us, stood by our side and supported our efforts to end hunger and end homelessness, one person at a time. And as always, you continue to be here for us during some of the darkest times for all of us.

From the child who empties their piggy bank for us, to the many schools and organizations who host drives, lemonade stands and more on our behalf, to the individuals, families, organizations and restaurants who make meals to feed our guests in the Community Kitchen to all who give us monetary and in kind donations, to those who advocate on our behalf, and to everyone else in between, we are deeply appreciative. To our dedicated and tireless staff, Board Members, volunteers and loyal and new donors, thank you for keeping those most in need in your heart today and every day.

While Thanksgiving is a time for many to celebrate the bounty of the season, for so many here in our community, the holiday is a stark reminder of their struggle with hunger and homelessness. Thank you for sharing your bounty, which helps us provide food, housing and services for our neighbors in need right here in Fairfield, and not just on Thanksgiving, but throughout the year. We wish you and your loved ones a blessed Thanksgiving and a bountiful season of giving thanks 🧡🍽🦃🍁🙏🏽

Please note: Our business office, Food Pantry and Community Kitchen will be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28. Regular business hours for the office, Food Pantry and Community Kitchen, including donation drop off, resume Monday, December 1.

Thanks to Club Pilates Fairfield for the Food Drive!

Nov 26, 2025

Thanks to Club Pilates Fairfield for partnering with Operation Hope of Fairfield to collect over 200 non perishable items for our Food Pantry!This annual food drive is a big help for our hungry neighbors in need Pictured here is Operation Hope Advisory Board Member Sharon Risley of CAPRI Fairfield and Club Pilates member. We are grateful for our very generous community and especially for Club Pilates Fairfield!

Laurie Berkner Band Shows Another Success to Help End Hunger & Homelessness

Nov 22, 2025

Thank you Laurie Berkner Band for not just 1, but 2, amazing shows!

What a wonderful and festive way to kick off the holidays! Thanks to you, all of today’s guests, Twinkle Arts for Good and Sacred Heart University Community Theatre for including us in your outreach efforts

Every little bit helps us end hunger and homelessness, one person at a time

Thanks to CT State Police Troop G for Hosting a Food Drive for Operation Hope

Nov 20, 2025

Thanks to Connecticut State Police Troop G Barracks for hosting a food drive today to help stock Operation Hope’s Pantry this holiday season. A thanks also to Stop & Shop for granting the space for Troop G to host the drive. We are grateful for the support and generosity of Troop G and all donors to help make this food drive a success to help feed and care for our neighbors in need.

Thanks to AMR for Holding a “Stuff an Ambulance” Drive for Operation Hope

Nov 16, 2025

What a great day to Stuff an Ambulance!The brainchild of AMR Bridgeport, CT Regional Director Bill Schietinger, with support from Al DiGuido of Saugatuck Sweets Fairfield, AMR Bridgeport held a drive today to collect non-perishables for Operation Hope’s Pantry. At a time when federal support is precarious, we are grateful for the continued local support we receive for our neighbors in need. Thanks to all of today’s donors and especially to AMR’s staff for bringing the brawn to the drive!

Build A Gingerbread House for Hope…Build Precious Memories

Nov 14, 2025

In partnership with The Great Charity Gingerbread House Project, we are offering a very limited number of homemade gingerbread house kits this holiday season. There are just 6 houses remaining! Purchase a Gingerbread House for Hope at https://bit.ly/oh-gingerbread-2025 and help give a struggling neighbor a “home sweet home” 🏡 All proceeds benefit Operation Hope ❤

🎁KIT DETAILS: These sweet gingerbread houses are festive treats for people of all ages to enjoy. There are just 6 kits available, online ordering only! First ordered, first served! Each beautifully wrapped kit is $100 and includes an assembled gingerbread house, frosting and decorative candies to make your house a home. Plus, a bonus chocolate Elf on the Shelf (generously donated by a friend of Operation Hope)! Orders are due December 8 and can only be purchased online via credit card at https://bit.ly/oh-gingerbread-2025. Prepayment via credit card is required.

🎁PICK UP: Pick up is Thursday, December 11, 11:30am-1pm at Operation Hope, 636 Old Post Road. If you are unable to pick up during this time, please reach out here to make other arrangements. Please be sure to include your contact information when placing the order.

We are in awe of The Great Charity Gingerbread House Project, and grateful for its continued support of Operation Hope. For 26 years now, this grassroots org created by Fairfielders Carole and Leo Canzoneri, brings together volunteers and donors of all ages and walks of life to help many of our local nonprofits. From holiday themed care packages to generous food donations to school supplies and more throughout the year, these volunteers give their time, talent and treasure to make the world a little better for our neighbors in need. Scroll down to meet Carole and some of her helpers!

We wish you all the best this holiday season as you build precious memories with your loved ones. Thank you for keeping our neighbors in need in your heart this holiday season, and always.

MEET MRS. GINGERBREAD & SOME OF HER HELPERS

Fairfield resident, baker and volunteer extraordinaire Carole Canzoneri and her merry volunteer elves of The Great Charity Gingerbread House Project have made over 4,000 gingerbread houses to benefit various local charities for 26 years! We are deeply fortunate The Great Charity Gingerbread House Project selected Operation Hope as one of its beneficiaries once again this year. While this photo was taken in 2016, these friends are still helping Carole in the kitchen today! And if you can believe it, these are just a FEW of the helper friends who make the gingerbread magic happen! L to R: Beverly Crudgington, Nancy Albert, Carole Canzoneri, Jeanne Pacewicz. Build a Gingerbread House for Hope and build special memories this holiday season. Thank you and happy holidays!

Thanking Our Veterans & Active Service Members, Today and Every Day

Nov 11, 2025

Today, and every day, we honor our country’s Veterans and active service members, the brave men and women who serve in the most selfless of ways to protect our freedoms

Here at home, we are proud that Connecticut was one of the first states to eliminate all veteran homelessness by establishing a system for quick rehousing. However, recent data indicates that this progress has faced challenges, with veteran homelessness increasing in the state due to a shortage of affordable housing and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for continued state-level advocacy for federal funding and resources for programs that assist homeless veterans and legislative efforts to address housing insecurity for veterans. If you or someone you know is having difficulty getting the Veterans’ services they need, please contact Senator Chris Murphy’s office or visit his website here.

Thank you

And to the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield for organizing the Field of Valor every year. It’s such an inspiring sight for all in town to see

Please note our office (including donation drop offs), the Food Pantry and the Community Kitchen will be closed on Tuesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Regular business hours (including donation drop offs), the Pantry and the Community Kitchen resume Wednesday, November 12. Thank you.

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