Thanks to the incredible dedication of 35 volunteers from “Refill the Pantry,” a collaboration of five local churches, its food drive held September 20 at the Stop & Shop on Kings Hwy Cutoff for Operation Hope’s Pantry was a tremendous success. We are indebted to Refill the Pantry and its volunteers, all donors, Stop & Shop on Kings Hwy Cutoff, and Thrivent for contuinuing to help our neighbors in need.

The group collected an impressive 2,410 lbs of food. They also raised $1,311, providing vital support for families facing food insecurity in our community.

In its two collection efforts for Operation Hope this year, Refill the Pantry collected 5,810 lbs of food and grocery products and $2,711 in financial contributions, an annual jump of 65% in food and grocery product donations and a 25% increase in financial donations from last year for Operation Hope. “That’s an increase of 2,300 lbs, and $500 more from what we did last year for Operation Hope,” Refill the Pantry Coordinator Rich Lansing said. “I’ve been so very happy at seeing how our donation efforts are going,” continued Lansing. “People are generous and feel for those who don’t have as much as they do.” 

“People never cease to amaze me. There are good people in the world, and they want to help others – even in the midst of lots of challenges,” said Operation Hope Executive Director Carla Miklos.

Refill the Pantry’s efforts to restock the shelves of six Fairfield County food pantries continues to grow year over year, from 19,633 lbs, or 9.8 tons at this time last year to 26,478 lbs, or 13.23 tons this year, an increase of nearly 35%. Operation Hope is deeply grateful to be included in this outreach effort. 

ABOUT REFILL THE PANTRY

Now in its fourth year, Refill the Pantry is spearheaded by the First Presbyterian Church (Fairfield), Our Saviour’s Lutheran (Fairfield), Holy Cross Lutheran (Trumbull), Grace Lutheran (Stratford), and Good Shepherd Lutheran (Monroe). This year, the initiative will conduct 12 collection events to support six local food pantries, ensuring food assistance reaches families in Trumbull, Stratford, Fairfield, Monroe, and Bridgeport. 

Refill the Pantry is sponsored by Thrivent, a Minneapolis-based Fortune 500 financial services company that helps build, grow and protect financial well-being through purpose-driven advice, investments, insurance, banking and generosity programs. Thrivent serves more than 2.4 million clients through thousands of financial advisors across the country and has more than $193 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/24). Thrivent carries strong financial ratings from independent rating agencies – including AM Best, Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings – which demonstrate the company’s financial strength, stability and ability to pay claims. Ratings don’t apply to investment product performance, and more information can be found on each rating agency’s website. 

Thanks so much to Cohen & Wolf for making 50 bagged lunches to distribute in our Community Kitchen. We are grateful for the team’s generosity; read the full story here. Sometimes, this bagged lunch is the only meal some of our Community Kitchen guests may eat that day, so stocking the bags with nutritious, filling foods is very important. The team of attorneys and staff prepared bags full of sandwiches, drinks, fruit and snacks. Thank you, Cohen & Wolf for feeding our neighbors in need!