Latest News - July 2023

This month our SSKP family joins together in wishing Jeff and Patty Ward a very happy retirement, and truly thanks them both for their deep caring and commitment as vital members of our staff.

Jeff Ward, who has served as our Volunteer and Program Director since 2016, and Patty Ward, who joined our team in 2021 as Office Administrator, have both dedicated themselves to helping people in need in the community. In his role, Jeff skillfully managed our eight meal sites, trained and coordinated hundreds of volunteers, and planned many special holiday gatherings. Patty expertly kept all aspects of our busy SSKP administration running smoothly, while always lending a compassionate ear and a kind heart to those reaching out to the SSKP office for assistance.

They will both be truly missed and everyone at SSKP wishes them a fulfilling and happy retirement! 

Already this season we have received so many gifts of fresh produce from our Garden Partners - hundreds of heads of lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, beets, turnips, asparagus, Swiss chard, sugar snap peas, and delicious herbs like parsley, thyme, dill, oregano and basil. We are so grateful for their gifts of fresh food!

Common Good Gardens in Old Saybrook

Food For All Garden in Clinton

St. Mary's Church Garden in Clinton 

St. Ann's Episcopal Church Garden in Old Lyme

Partner to Grow Garden at the Valley Shore YMCA in Westbrook 

LOL Food Share Garden in Old Lyme

SSKP is also very grateful to all the backyard gardeners and local farm stands who donate fresh produce throughout the summer. Thank you!

Learn more about all our garden partners here.

When the Covid emergency ended, many of the extra supports given to needy families were also phased out. At SSKP's five food pantries the number of those in need has continued to increase.

As of the end of May, the number of people visiting our food pantries is higher than ever before, even at the height of the pandemic.

Each one of these guests is so much more than a number on a chart, and we recognize that every family has their own unique needs and challenges. We will respond to these increased needs by sharing food and fellowship with all our guests to the very best of our ability.

SSKP is deeply grateful to all our thirteen generous host sites. Their support and hospitality makes our mission possible.  

These communities of faith host our five Food Pantries, providing essential program space and storage as part of their ministry outreach. Thank you: 

First Church of Christ, Clinton

St. Mark's R.C. Church, Westbrook

First Congregational Church of Christ, Old Saybrook

St. John's Episcopal Church, Niantic

First Congregational Church, Old Lyme

Our eight Meal Sites are possible because of many volunteers that come together at spaces provided at the faith communities listed below to prepare and serve delicious meals. We are grateful for all our meal sites for their commitment to share both food and fellowship. Thank you:

United Church of Chester, Chester

First Baptist Church, Essex

St. John's Episcopal Church, Essex

Grace Episcopal Church, Old Saybrook

United Methodist Church, Clinton

Deep River Congregational Church, Deep River

Trinity Lutheran Church, Centerbrook

Westbrook Congregational Church, Westbrook

Other local communities of faith also provide essential support. Our office space is at Grace Episcopal Church and other local faith partners form meal teams, organize food drives, collect donations, and provide countless volunteers.

Thank you to all these caring communities of faith for the many ways they help make a place at the table for all our neighbors.