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Neighbors Helping Neighbors

One of the many ways the Christ and the Epiphany Church community lives its discipleship is through its involvement with the East Haven Food Pantry. Anyone who lives in East Haven who meets federal income guidelines is eligible to get food from the Food Pantry, which is housed at Christ and the Epiphany Church at 39 Park Place in East Haven (its hours are from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday).

The Food Pantry's motto, "Neighbors Helping Neighbors," sums up the operation, a volunteer effort for more than 20 years and currently led by Phyllis Laroche, president, and Christine Sanford, vice president. The Food Pantry was originally started at St. Vincent de Paul's Church. Many organizations contribute: East Haven schools have held food drives and Post Office letter carriers conduct food drives, as have East Haven Boy and Girl Scouts. At Christ and the Epiphany, food drives are targeted to the Food Pantry's needs. In early February, Soup-er Bowl Sunday was the day to donate canned soups. Later in February, donations of tuna and cereal were sought. Weekly donations of bread and pastry are made by Stop & Shop, Big Y, and Costco.

Volunteer efforts increase to meet demands. Christ and the Epiphany parishioners stepped up after last summer's hurricane/tropical storm. They helped unload trucks and separate and sort food, while checking expiration dates. Youth from East Haven also contribute community service hours, lending hands as needed. Boxes are packed for local families at Thanksgiving and the December holidays. The number of people who use the Food Pantry, sometimes 200 per week, has doubled in the past year.

To find out more about Christ and the Epiphany Church, visit www.christandtheepiphany.com or call 201-467-2310.

Gail M. Onofrio

East Haven