WALLINGFORD, CONN. – Food drives and special programs throughout November will help the Connecticut Food Bank provide the makings of Thanksgiving meals to people in need.
Several media outlets and businesses have planned special drives to help the Connecticut Food Bank collect needed food and funds during a time when people think about sharing the bounty of the season.
The Connecticut Food Bank, through a network of community-based food assistance programs, provides nutritious food to people in six Connecticut counties, where more than 300,000 people struggle with hunger. Connecticut Food Bank member programs see an average of 150,000 visits each month from people seeking help to meet basic needs for food.
“At a time when we all hope to give thanks for good fortune, many people struggle just to make ends meet,” said Connecticut Food Bank CEO Bernie Beaudreau. “The generosity of businesses, community groups and so many individuals who host and support activities to help neighbors this month and throughout the year is something for which we are truly thankful.”
During November, there are many opportunities for the public to share the bounty with hungry neighbors at food drives and special events. “We are also instituting a new tradition at our distribution center in Wallingford, where we will hold a turkey drive on Saturday, November 19, from 9:00AM to noon,” Beaudreau said. Additionally, Beaudreau said that frozen turkeys, nonperishables and financial donations may be dropped off during business hours, Mondays through Fridays, 8:30AM to 4:30PM, November 14 through November 22, at the Connecticut Food Bank location in Wallingford at 2 Research Parkway and at the Food Bank’s Fairfield warehouse, located at 74 Linwood Avenue.
Beaudreau said there is still time for businesses and individuals wanting to help this Thanksgiving. “Our Connecticut Food Bank Virtual Food Drive is a great way to help feed hungry neighbors.” The online tool allows supporters to launch a drive where employees, colleagues, friends and family can donate, using a secure and engaging website. “We can quickly and efficiently convert financial donations into fresh, nutritious food for people,” Beaudreau said, noting that each dollar donated to the Connecticut Food Bank can provide enough food to prepare two meals.
“Beyond Thanksgiving, Virtual Food Drives and conventional food drives are just some of the ways people can help throughout the year. As volunteers, advocates, financial donors and food donors, it’s members of the community who power our mission to fight hunger in Connecticut,” Beaudreau said. “We hope the holiday inspires people to get involved with us and that they will stay engaged in the fight against hunger throughout the year.”
Beaudreau noted several food and fund drives across the region that are sponsored by area media outlets and businesses:
|
Date and Time |
Food Drive |
Location |
|
November 12 9:00AM to 2:00PM |
Fill The Bowl – donate a frozen turkey, nonperishable items, or buy specially priced $15 donation tickets online or at the gate. |
Yale vs. Princeton at the Yale Bowl 81 Central Avenue, New Haven, CT 06515 |
|
November 12 9:00AM to Noon |
NBC Connecticut Food Drive |
Groton Square Shopping Center 220 CT-12, Groton, CT 06340 |
|
November 17 & 18 6:00AM to 7:00PM |
KC 101FM 26th Annual Stuff-A-Bus Food Drive |
Hamden Plaza 2100 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06514 |
|
November 17 10:00AM to 7:00PM |
Star 99.9FM Food and Fund Drive |
898 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484 |
|
November 17 10:00AM to 7:00PM |
WPLR Food and Fund Drive |
370 Hemingway Avenue East Haven, CT 06512 |
|
November 19 8:00AM to 2:00PM |
WATR 1320AM Food and Fund Drive |
|
|
November 19 9:00AM to Noon |
Connecticut Food Bank Turkey Drive |
Connecticut Food Bank 2 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06490 |
|
November 19 10:00AM to 2:00PM |
WTNH and Bank of America Thanksgiving Food and Fund Drive |
745 Foxon Road East Haven, CT 06512 |
|
November 14 to November 22 8:30AM to 4:30PM |
Drop off frozen turkeys, nonperishable food and financial donations in Wallingford or Fairfield. |
2 Research Parkway Wallingford, CT 06492 74 Linwood Avenue Fairfield, CT 06824 |
|
December 1 |
City of New Haven Tree Lighting Ceremony Support us with a monetary donation at the event! |
New Haven Green 202 Temple Street, New Haven, CT 06511 |
Beaudreau said that people in lower Fairfield County have another option to drop off donations closer to home in Stamford on Saturday, November 19. To help those in need living in lower Fairfield County, donations of Thanksgiving turkeys and “fixings” may be delivered to The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, which serves many food assistance programs in that area. The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County is located at 461 Glenbrook Road in Stamford. Donations can be dropped off Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Saturday, November 19, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Beaudreau said donors with questions regarding The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County may contact Amy Tarantino, at (203) 358-8898, ext. 200.
More details on Thanksgiving For All activities are available at www.ctfoodbank.org/Thanksgiving.
The Connecticut Food Bank distributes food through a network of partner agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, residential and day care programs in six Connecticut counties. The Connecticut Food Bank also directly distributes food through its Mobile Pantry program; its GROW Up With Good Nutrition program for families with young children; the Kids’ BackPack program to bridge the weekend meal gap for children receiving free meals at school; and a supplemental foods program for income-limited seniors.
About the Connecticut Food Bank:
The Connecticut Food Bank is committed to alleviating hunger in Connecticut by providing food resources, raising awareness of the challenges of hunger and advocating for people who need help meeting basic needs. The Connecticut Food Bank partners with the food industry, food growers, donors and volunteers to provide food, which last year provided 19.2 million meals. We distribute that food through a network of community based programs to six Connecticut counties - Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London and Windham counties – where more than 300,000 people struggle with hunger. Visit us on the web at www.ctfoodbank.org, like us on Facebook and follow @CTFoodBank on Twitter and Instagram.