In Connecticut, the Ecumenical Food Bank of Naugatuck are one of the forerunners of helping the less fortunate through the help of community by collection monetary donations and food and then distributing them. Various drives are initiated to collect food for the needy. Today, however, the organization fears for food shortage as the Easter celebrations draw near, as the number of families and beneficiaries continues to increase.
According to reports, the number of families needing assistance has grown largely thus the need for more food donations. News reports quoted the President of the food bank, Marty Lee Fenton, stating that about 707 families were fed in 2015. The number is 15 percent higher compared to the number of families they were able to help in 2014, adding about 231 new families to their list of beneficiaries. They also reported that the group was able to provide a total of 110,880 meals comprised 15,814 bags of food last year. Fenton was also quoted saying "With the Easter season approaching, please help your fellow neighbor with a donation of food or money so the needs of the Naugatuck and Beacon Falls communities can continue to be met to those not as fortunate."
But like most charity drives, they are again seeking assistance and donations from citizens to further widen the scope of the food bank coverage so that help can reach more and more beneficiaries. As the Easter draws near, they are reminding Connecticut residents and donors everywhere to help them provide for the needy.
Aside from collecting donations for the less fortunate, the Ecumenical Food Bank is also known for gathering volunteers to help prepare the food they have collected for distribution.
Donations can be in the form of cash or in-kind (food) and can easily be dropped off at their headquarters at 75 Spring St.
Schedule for receiving of food donations are as follows:
Tuesday: 2:00-4:00pm
Fridays: 10:00-12:00nn
Monetary donations can also be mailed to P.O. Box 796, Naugatuck, CT 06770. Or you can call their hotline call 203-723-1922.