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11/03/2021 08:00 AM

Every Little Bit


This past Oct. 16, the Community Dining Room (CDR) held its first annual raffle drawing: The Shoreline Experience. The drawing was held at Bishop’s Orchards Little Red Barn. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses on our shoreline, we were able to raffle off close to $16,000 in donated gift cards and gift certificates.

Businesses from East Haven, North Branford, Branford, Guilford, and Madison participated in the donations. We were able to offer 28 very generous prize packages, consisting of multiple cards from various businesses including restaurants, retail shops, car washes, oil changes, photo packages, salons, garden centers, art and fitness studios, breweries, and so much more. And even in these difficult times, we are ever so grateful for the more than 75 businesses being more than willing to donate and support the CDR soup kitchen and our mission.

An additional thank you goes to our event sponsors, event volunteers, and CDR staff; their generosity and support is greatly appreciated. It was a very successful first year event that will be back next year—look for it again next fall!

The dollars raised through events like this continue to support our mission to feed our shoreline neighbors in need. Since the start of the pandemic, the CDR has been able to stay open seven days a week and maintain all seven of its free nutritional programs offered to our Branford and shoreline residents. Last year saw almost 55,000 meals prepared and served out of our kitchen through our various free meal programs. We give thanks to all who supported this raffle event as well as any support given to us throughout the year. Every little bit helps.

Courtney Rosenberg

Community Dining Room Fundraising Coordinator