United Way of Greater Waterbury and the Greater Waterbury Food Resource Committee announce the start of this year’s Stock the Pantry Food Drive. This annual event aims to replenish the most in-demand foods at CT Food Bank’s Waterbury warehouse and provides much needed assistance to those in need in the Greater Waterbury community.
Per United Way 2-1-1, requests for food assistance within United Way of Greater Waterbury’s 10-town service area have increased 26.6% in the past year, sending a clear message that our friends neighbors are struggling with hunger and food security related issues. Additionally, demand for food assistance increases during the summer months in our local community. This is due in part to the increased needs of children who typically receive free or reduced school lunches (and breakfast in some cases) and are home for summer vacation, but also reflect our community’s current economic challenges.
You can help Stock the Pantry by conducting a food drive within your workplace or organization now through Thursday, June 21. This year, the most requested foods are:
Tuna Fish
Soups & Stews
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Cereal & Oatmeal
Macaroni & Cheese
Rice
Shelf Stable Milk
In order to maximize the efforts of our volunteers, we ask that you select one or two of the requested items. This helps to ensure that the most needed foods are collected, and made available in soup kitchens and food banks throughout our community.
Contact Brian Amero at (203) 757-9855 ext. 15 or by email at bamero@unitedwaygw.org.