March News from SSKP

Latest News - March 2023

Dear friends,

According to Feeding America, one out of ten people in Connecticut face hunger. The rate for children is even higher at one in eight. Combined poverty and ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) rates in the eleven towns within the SSKP service area range from 21%-36%, according to the United Way ALICE data. From this data it is clear that food insecurity and financial instability are real challenges for many of our neighbors and friends.

In January of 2023, SSKP shared over 115,000 meals worth of food through our pantries and meal sites. This was 150,000 pounds of food. This is possible because of every person connected with SSKP.

Please join us in ensuring neighbors know about resources like SSKP Pantries and Meal Sites. The eight SSKP Meal Sites are open to all with no registration needed. The five SSKP Pantries are open to residents of the eleven-town region who complete a simple registration process. This enables the guest to pick up groceries one time each week. Our newest pantry program supplying food for school backpack programs is well underway assisting them to get food directly to children.

If you are interested in volunteering or doing a food drive, please contact the SSKP Office. Food Drives and Food Donations make a huge difference! Sourcing food and filling our pantry shelves has been more challenging recently.

Two of our wonderfully dedicated staff members, Jeff our Volunteer and Program Coordinator and Patty our Administrative Assistant, will be retiring this summer. They will be missed! If you are interested in learning more about either of these positions, please send an email to ahollis@shorelinesoupkitchens.org

Both positions require communication skills, computer skills (word/excel), close attention to detail, and a desire to work as part of a team to ensure food and fellowship are available.

Over the years I’ve been a part of many conversations about “who is my neighbor?” Ultimately, I choose to say to all “You are my neighbor. Thank you for being my neighbor.”

With gratitude,

Your neighbor, Amy

Food Resources By Town

There are many ways those in need in our community can access the food they need.

Get up-to-date information about all the food resources that are available in our shoreline towns by visiting the SSKP website.

CLICK HERE

to see a town-by-town listing.

Firehouse Food Drive on April 15th

Please "Save the Date" for the 11th Annual Firehouse Food Drive on April 15th, 2023, from 9am – 1pm.

Many local fire departments will be collecting non-perishable food for SSKP as one of our largest food drives of the year. Shoreline fire departments already committed include Old Saybrook, Essex, Westbrook, Deep River, Chester, Clinton, and North Madison. Watch for announcements as other fire departments join in this special food drive.

Fire Department teams will be collecting donations at their firehouses as well as local grocery stores and businesses, including Robert’s Food Center in North Madison, Stop & Shop in Old Saybrook and Clinton, and Big Y and Walmart in Old Saybrook, Mirsina’s Restaurant, Essex Savings Bank, the Parthenon Diner, Sal's Pizza, Staples, and Little Pub in Old Saybrook and Scotch Plains Tavern in Essex will accept nonperishable food donations.

Please help us spread the word about this amazing community food drive!

Current Volunteer Needs

Do you want to become a volunteer?

Right now we are in need of the following:

Several SSKP Meal Sites need a Coordinator. Responsibilities include maintaining a schedule of meal teams and submitting requests for food and supplies.

The SSKP Old Lyme Pantry needs volunteers on Saturday mornings from 8 to 11. This requires physical work and being outdoors.

The SSKP Old Saybrook Pantry needs volunteers on Mondays from 2 to 4 PM and on Tuesdays from 1:45 to 4 PM. This requires physical work and heavy lifting.

If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please email Jeff Ward at: jward@shorelinesoupkitchens.org.

If you want to volunteer, but are not available for the openings above, you can email Jeff to be added to our volunteer wait list.

Thank you!

Pantry Wish List

Last year 29% of all the food SSKP shared was donated. Donated food makes our mission possible, and every donation makes a real difference!

Click here for a list of times and locations for dropping off a food donation.

To everyone who donates non-perishable food through a food drive, or at one of our local bins - thank you!!