VALLEY FOOD BANKS AND LOCAL CHURCHES BRING THANKSGIVING CHEER TO HUNDREDS
DERBY, CT – In the true spirit of “Valleyness” food pantries and faith organizations across the Valley joined forces this past Thanksgiving to ensure neighbors in need could celebrate with full hearts and full tables. This year’s collaborative effort among local food banks, pantries and churches resulted in an unprecedented outpouring of generosity and kindness, demonstrating the Valley’s deep commitment to caring for one another.
Kristina Walton, Director of the Seymour Oxford Food Bank, spearheaded a partnership that included The Blessing Pantry, The Little Free Pantry on Skokorat, and Oxford Neighbor to Neighbor Pantry. Together, these organizations provided 436 full Thanksgiving baskets over three days -- quadrupling the Seymour-Oxford Food Bank’s outreach compared to last year.
“In the past, we tried to manage this effort individually, but Thanksgiving is about coming together, so we did just that as organizations with the same mission,” Walton said. “The response was simply amazing. So many neighbors, businesses, and volunteers came together to make this possible, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”
Also, the Life Health & Wellness Center, (LHWC), in Ansonia, and its partners, Abundant Life Fellowship Ministries, The City of Ansonia, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, TEAM, Food Share, Midwest Food Bank, and Hometown Foundation, served more than 500 people this Thanksgiving alone, assisted by the Ansonia High School football team who volunteered to move the groceries along. Visitors received not only food, but health and wellness products as well.
This year, the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) supported several area food banks and pantries including providing $2,500 Community Grants to The Little Free Pantry and Oxford Neighbor-to-Neighbor Pantry. LHWC also received a $7,000 from The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. These grants, combined with the extraordinary efforts of the food banks and volunteers, ensured that no Valley family had to go without this Thanksgiving.
“Food insecurity is a very real issue for many families in the Valley,” said Sharon Closius, VCF’s President and CEO. “These food pantries, churches and their volunteers remind us of the power of Valleyness, the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor, especially during the holiday season. It’s not just about food, it’s about community, compassion, and hope.”
The Kathleen Samela Memorial Food Pantry at Christ Episcopal Church in Ansonia contributed significantly to the effort, feeding 73 households, including 98 adults, 34 seniors, and 112 children. Also, the @St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, local Salvation Army, Spooner House and many other churches and faith organizations also provided meals and food -- too many to count -- toward the Valley-wide effort.
“We served over 500 families this year, representing more than 1,679 individuals. Close to 20,000 pounds of food, including turkeys, sides, produce, and desserts, were distributed,” said Jenny Rice, Steward and Founder Seymour’s Little Free Pantry on Skokorat. “The community’s generosity was overwhelming, with more than $10,000 in donations, countless volunteer hours, and an unwavering spirit of giving.”
Valley generosity also extended beyond baskets. Walton also worked with Seymour First Selectman Annmarie Drugonis to host a “Friendsgiving” meal, cooking for 100 people and welcoming anyone in the community to join.
“Thanksgiving is about being together,” Walton said. “This year, the Valley proved what it means to truly come together for one another.”
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