We are deeply grateful to have once again been the beneficiary of a collaborative food drive and collection in October. Bridgeport’s Salem Lutheran Church, Fairfield’s First Presbyterian Church, Fairfield’s Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Stratford’s Grace Lutheran Church and Trumbull’s Holy Trinity Lutheran Church partnered in “Refill the Pantries” to collect a 1,637 lbs of much needed food and personal care items and $1,150 in cash donations at the Villa Avenue Stop & Shop in Fairfield on October 28. In addition, Thrivent Financial generously contributed $500. This year, Refill the Pantries has contributed about 4,000 lbs of food and personal care items and $2,400 for Operation Hope’s Pantry. Many thanks to all donors and especially to the volunteers and congregations from these five churches for helping our neighbors in need in this big way.
This wasn’t just a drive held ad hoc. A little bit of history…about a year and a half ago, Salem Lutheran Church created a new focused mission to help alleviate food insecurity in the area. The church decided that they would need to collaborate with other churches. They formed the program, Refill the Pantries, with Salem Lutheran of Bridgeport, First Presbyterian, Our Saviours Lutheran of Fairfield, Holy Trinity Lutheran of Trumbull, and Grace Lutheran of Stratford. The initial thought was to do a drive for a pantry in each community: Bishop Jean Williams in Bridgeport, Operation Hope in Fairfield, Trumbull Food Pantry in Trumbull, and Sterling House in Stratford. Each church took the lead in getting volunteers for their community. The success of the four drives this past spring was amazing and encouraging, and Operation Hope was fortunate to be the beneficiary of another drive this fall. Thrivent Financial has also sponsored each drive and gives Refill the Pantries a cash donation, which is turned over to the pantry.
It’s truly amazing what can be accomplished when working together. Thank you!