October News from SSKP

Latest News - October 2024

Dear Friends,

Across our community 25-30% of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet. SSKP registered 9% of residents at our pantries last year, and while that number is high, we know the need is even greater.

Each year in October we send a mailing to over 40,000 local households in the towns we serve. This large outreach effort has two main purposes.

The first is to share a colorful brochure that includes times and locations of our food pantries and meals. We encourage you to share your copy somewhere within your community. Posting this brochure could help someone you know who is experiencing food insecurity.

Second, you will find our Annual Appeal letter. This is our main call for donations of the year. Please give generously, if you are able. These vital funds help us to purchase food like eggs, peanut butter, tuna fish, pasta, potatoes, bananas, and additional fresh produce.

So far this year we have shared over 1.2 million pounds of food directly with our neighbors. This work is both amazing and humbling. It brings to the table the kindest people. Thank you for joining us in this journey.

With gratitude,

Amy

Food & Fellowship Every Day

SSKP is sharing food and fellowship every day! If your family needs help, we are here for you.

Each week residents of 11 towns can visit one of our five Food Pantries and receive fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, bread, eggs, canned goods, and packaged food. The towns we serve are Clinton, Madison, Killingworth, Westbrook, Essex, Chester, Deep River, Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Lyme, and East Lyme. Our pantry times and locations are:

SSKP Westbrook Pantry

Tuesday 11:30 A.M. - 2:15 P.M.

St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church

22 McVeagh Road, Westbrook

SSKP Old Saybrook Pantry

Tuesday 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.

First Church of Christ in Saybrook

366 Main Street, Old Saybrook

SSKP Clinton Pantry

Wednesday 3:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

First Church of Christ Congregational

55 Church Road, Clinton

SSKP East Lyme Pantry

Thursday 2:30 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

St. John’s Episcopal Church

400 Main Street, Niantic

SSKP Old Lyme Pantry

Saturday 8:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.

First Congregational Church of Old Lyme

2 Ferry Road, Old Lyme

In addition to our pantries, all are welcome at our meal sites for freshly cooked dinners and lunches, as listed below:

Chester Meal

Sunday 5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

United Church of Chester

29 West Main Street, Chester

Essex Meal #1

Monday 5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

First Baptist Church in Essex

10 Prospect Street, Essex

Essex Meal #2

Tuesday 5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

St. John's Episcopal Church

23 Main Street, Essex

Old Saybrook Meal

Wednesday Noon - 1:00 P.M.

Grace Episcopal Church

336 Main Street, Old Saybrook

Clinton Meal

Wednesday 5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

United Methodist Church

12 Commerce Street, Clinton

Deep River Meal

Thursday 5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Deep River Congregational Church

1 Church Street, Deep River

Centerbrook Meal

Friday Noon - 1:00 P.M.

Trinity Lutheran Church

109 Main Street, Centerbrook

Westbrook Meal

Friday 6:00 P.M.- 7:00 P.M.

Westbrook Congregational Church

1166 Boston Post Road, Westbrook

We are grateful to all the volunteers, staff, host sites, and donors who make these meals and pantries happen each day!

October Pantry Needs

This month our food pantries are especially in need of these items:

Peanut Butter

Canned Corn

Canned Vegetables

Soup

Pasta

Pasta Sauce

Tuna

Rice

and Shelf Stable Boxed Milk

Click here for drop-off times and locations. Thank you!

October is Clergy Appreciation Month

During October we recognize and uplift all the faith leaders who partner with SSKP every day. Local faith leaders host our programs, serve on our Board, organize teams who cook and serve meals at our meal sites, collect food donations, and open their doors to our neighbors in need.

Thank you for all the ways you support our mission of food & fellowship!

Thank You, Kitchings Foundation

Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries has received a generous grant from the Kitchings Family Foundation in support of our mission to provide food and fellowship to those in need on the shoreline. Special thanks to Chester W. Kitchings Jr. and to the Kitchings Family Foundation for all you do for for SSKP.

SSKP Thanksgiving Meal

The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries' annual Thanksgiving Dinner will be served from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 28th, at Grace Episcopal Church, 336 Main St. in Old Saybrook.

Come join us as we gather to count our blessings together. All are welcome to attend; there is no charge and no reservation is required.

Support the Annual Appeal

Each October we mail our Annual Appeal to households in the 11 towns we serve. If you haven't gotten yours yet, you can read our letter here and our updated SSKP Brochure with details about our mission and the times and locations of our 5 food pantries and 8 meal sites.

Please read and share our brochure in your community. With your help all those in need will know where they can receive groceries and hot meals.

If you've already made a gift to the Annual Appeal - thank you so much! Your donations will help us share food with local families in need. If you haven't made your gift yet, please take a moment to click the button below.

Thank you!