Blog - Operation Hope of Fairfield

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!

⛳ Thank You for Making Our Annual Golf Outing a Success ⛳

Nov 25, 2025

What better time than Thanksgiving to extend our appreciation to a very special group of Operation Hope of Fairfield friends – our golfers!

On Monday, October 6, a group of enthusiastic supporters of Operation Hope gathered together on a gorgeous fall day at the stunning Country Club of Fairfield for Operation Hope’s SOLD OUT Annual Golf Outing to tee off to end hunger and end homelessness in our community. With your support, we can continue to help provide clinical support, housing affordability, food and hope for the future for those experiencing hunger and homelessness today.

THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

TITLE SPONSOR: Jersey Mike’s Fairfield
Beverage Sponsor: The DiNardo-Aiello Family Fund
Birdie Sponsor: Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market
Champion Sponsor: The Trade Desk
Eagle Sponsor: Champion Maintenance & Construction
Fairway Sponsor: PNC Bank
Golf Swag Sponsor: Minuteman Press Fairfield
Longest Drive Sponsor: AT&T
Lunch Sponsor: Turner Construction
Putting Contest Sponsor: Steve & Julie Pressman
Reception Sponsor: Global Infrastructure Partners
Tee Sponsors: ConnectFairfield; Drink Mechanics; Elicit Brewing Company Fairfield, Felner Corporation; First Church of Fairfield; The Fucigna Family; Massage Envy Fairfield; Ivan Maisel & Meg Murray; NATIVE, LLC; Pink Lady Goes Green; SHU Dining; Webster Private Bank; The Yawn

GRATITUDE ON THE GREENS

Everyone who made our Golf Outing possible knocked it out of the park, or course, this year! Thank you for pulling together to make the event a success: Golf Outing Chair and Board Member Peter DiDimenico; Board Treasurer and Country Club of Fairfield sponsor Tim Clark; Country Club of Fairfield staff; Operation Hope staff, Board Members and volunteers; and Mike Lauterborn/Fairfield HamletHub for photos. A very special thanks to Board Member Sharon Risley and Events Manager Suzanne Francis for sharing their time and talents with us. And also, thanks to our generous raffle prize donors!

The event promised a day “filled with fundraising, fun and great golf” – and it delivered on all of that, and more. Visit the Facebook post here to see the photos from the day (courtesy of Fairfield HamletHub).

We are grateful to you as we rely on your support now, more than ever. The demand for food and services continues to increase tremendously. We are filling the needs of our regular individuals and families, elderly, disabled, as well as the unemployed, right here in our own town. You are giving a vulnerable population the opportunity for positive and lasting change – and directly breaking the cycle of homelessness.

We wish you a happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Golf Outing!

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.

Operation Hope Closed November 11 for Veterans Day

Nov 6, 2025

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

Seeking Sponsors for Holiday Gift Card Program

Nov 5, 2025

As we head into the holiday season, our clients continue to truly struggle in so many ways, and even more so now with the suspension of SNAP. Our annual Hope for the Holidays gift card program always gives our clients some hope and joy in an otherwise challenging time of year. We are struggling ourselves to find sponsors. We still need sponsors for 9 families and 38 individual clients. Please email us ASAP at [email protected] to participate.

We are continuing the tradition of gifting gift cards to our clients so they may purchase much needed gifts this holiday season. Although gift cards may feel a bit more impersonal than physical gifts, they are deeply appreciated and empower our clients to shop for their families and select exactly what is needed.

Here is how Hope for the Holidays will run this year:

Sponsors can either opt to supply general gift cards (always needed) or be matched with individuals who worked with their Operation Hope social workers to develop a wishlist of specific gift cards needed. Sponsors can be a family, a group of friends, co-workers, etc.
Meredith McCormack and Sheila Sullivan, co-chairs of the program, will share wishlists with sponsors. Contact them immediately at [email protected] to participate.
Sponsors will then have until December 1 to either mail gift cards or drop them off in Fairfield (location to be shared once a sponsor is matched to an individual). Meredith and Sheila, along with a few elves, will check in and organize the gift cards by client and have each client’s gift cards wrapped in a small box so there is a gift to open. They will pass along the gift card packages to social workers the first week in December so clients have time to use the gift cards to buy gifts and necessities before the holidays.
Continuing this year – optional card making! If you or your kids/grandkids would like to drop your gift cards off and make a card to be included with your gift, we have arranged for two times to do this:
- Saturday, November 22, at SHU Community Theatre (1420 Post Rd), 10:30-11:00am and 2:30-3:00pm, before the Laurie Berkner shows, look for us in the lobby!
- Saturday, November 29, at First Church Congregational (148 Beach Rd), 4:15-7:00pm during the Holiday Tree Lighting. Please enter through the main doors across from the tree lighting and look for the Webb Room in the back of the sanctuary.

If you are interested in participating this year or have any questions, please send an email asap to Meredith and Sheila at [email protected]. Thank you for opening your hearts this holiday season!

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