15/Jun/20 / 15:20

For immediate release:

 

Connecticut Food Bank Mobile Pantry In Stratford Serves 280 Households

Food distribution is a partnership with Town of Stratford

 

Wallingford, Conn. – June 15, 2020 – A Connecticut Food Bank Mobile Pantry drive-thru food distribution in Stratford on Tuesday served 280 households. The monthly distribution held the second Tuesday of each month at Holy Name of Jesus Church and is a partnership with the Town of Stratford.

 

The Stratford food distribution began in 2017. The 280 households served on Tuesday, June 9, was the highest number served to date, according to Kelley Meier, Health Educator for the Stratford Health Department.

Volunteers package food from Connecticut Food Bank in boxes for distribution at a Mobile Pantry.

Volunteers package food from Connecticut Food Bank in boxes for distribution at a Mobile Pantry.

Connecticut Food Bank Chief Operating Officer Daniel Gomez said the distribution is one of 25 to 30 Mobile Pantry distributions Connecticut Food Bank supports each month. The distributions are a way for the food bank to fill gaps caused by transportation barriers for people in need, or where its network of member agencies does not have the ability to store larger quantities of food or perishable foods.

Volunteers at Stratford Mobile Pantry place prepacked food in vehicle of a visitor to the pantry.

Volunteers at Stratford Mobile Pantry place prepacked food in vehicle of a visitor to the pantry.

 

Mr. Gomez said the social distancing protocols required in the pandemic have transformed the mobile pantries. “Volunteers work to pre-package all food distributed so it can be placed directly in vehicles or occasionally placed on a table where a food recipient picks it up without contact. It’s more work for volunteers, so we are especially grateful for their help.”

 

Asked about Tuesday’s distribution, Ms. Meier said, “the food provided through Connecticut Food Bank has been such a great help for those in our community suffering from food insecurity… we have been able to consistently provide individuals with both perishable and nonperishable food items which we would not have been able to do without Connecticut Food Bank.”

Combined, Connecticut Food Bank member agencies and mobile pantries represent 500 food access points for people in need. The Mobile Pantry schedule is at www.ctfoodbank.org/mobilepantry.

 

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Press Contact

Paul Shipman

pshipman@ctfoodbank.org

O: 203-741-9209

 

About Connecticut Food Bank:

Connecticut Food Bank distributes food through a network of 500 partners and programs in Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, and Windham counties, representing 71% of the state’s population and where 65% of the state’s food insecure – nearly 270,000 people – struggle with hunger. Last year, Connecticut Food Bank distributed food to help provide 22.5 million meals. 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 struggle with food insecurity. Connecticut Food Bank partners with the food industry, food growers, donors, and volunteers to distribute nutritious food to people in need. Visit us on the web at www.ctfoodbank.org, like us on Facebook and follow @CTFoodBank on Twitter and Instagram.