Town officials say they saw record-high demand at the New Canaan Food Pantry in October.
Inside the New Canaan Food Pantry at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Credit: Michael Dinan
A total of 111 people were served by the pantry in the month, according to town Human Services Director Bethany Zaro.
“We have surpassed any numbers, historically, in October,” Zaro said during the Nov. 2 Health & Human Services Commission meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.
The town also saw a high number of Food Pantry clients at 108 in June, Zaro said, adding that Human Services just added two more families for the next distribution.
The New Canaan Food Pantry at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Credit: Michael Dinan
Located at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, the Food Pantry provides non-perishable items to qualified individuals and families living in New Canaan. It’s open every other Tuesday for two one-hour distribution sessions, where volunteers sort, stock and bag groceries. Donations are accepted seven days per week at St. Mark’s (non-perishable and non-expired food can be placed on any table inside the Food Pantry).
Asked by Commissioner Tom Ferguson what’s driving demand, Zaro said it likely is a reflection of more people moving into affordable housing in the community.
“They do qualify for state programs as well as our programs, and last year the people moving into Canaan Parish, their energy was included in their rent,” Zaro said. “This is the first season when it’s not, so people are coming up having to pay these bills and they’re falling short.”
She referred to a residential development at Lakeview Avenue and Route 123 that recently was rebuilt at greater density.
The town is encouraging those who need it to use the Food Pantry, Zaro said, and many of those individuals likely are on the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or “SNAP.”
“But we also offer non-SNAP paper products, diapers, toothbrush, toothpaste, things like that which are expensive,” Zaro said.
The New Canaan community has been “unbelievable” in its generosity, she added.
“Our donations continue to come in and support this part of the community,” Zaro said.
Items currently needed at the New Canaan Food Pantry include:
- Canned Tomatoes
- Canned Fruit
- Canned Tuna
- Pasta Sauce
- Unsweetened/ Sweet Apple Sauce
- Parmalat or Any Boxed Non-Refrigerated Milk
- Breakfast To-Go Snacks (Small Boxed/Cup Cereals, Granola Bars, Trail Mix etc.)
- Complete Pancake Mix
- Syrup
- Juice Packs
- Salsa
- Mayo
- Salt
- Pepper
- Oil
- Salad Dressing
- Side Dish Packets (Knorr)
- Taco Kits
- Toothpaste
- Tissues
- Dishwashing Detergent
- Paper Towel
- Cleaning Supplies
- Feminine Products
Monetary donations for the pantry can be mailed to Human Services at 77 Main Street, New Canaan, CT 06840. Please make checks payable to the ‘New Canaan Food Pantry.’ If you are a resident in need of food, please call the Human Services Department at 203-594-3076.