Printer Friendly Version - 'Feeding Our Neighbors' : Give to FPNB 1st Anniversary Appeal

Food Pantry of North Branford co-founder Lynn Riordan (center) accepts a $2,500 contribution from members of the Calabro Cheese family to help kick off FPNB's First Anniversary community-wide appeal for monetary donations.Photo from FPNB

In June of 2015, Food Pantry of North Branford (FPNB) officially opened its shelves and immediately began experiencing the growing pains of a service that's filling a desperate need. Now, to mark one year of "feeding our neighbors," FPNB is launching a mail appeal which asks community members to consider making a monetary contribution.

To kick off the appeal, Calabro Cheese Corp. of East Haven has just delivered a $2,500 donation, said FPNB co-founder Lynn Riordan. In the coming weeks, FPNB will be sending out appeal letters seeking tax-deductible donations (suggested amounts include $25, $50, $100, $150, $250 or "other") from community-spirited residents and businesses. All donations received will go directly to sustaining the Food Pantry and "feeding our neighbors," said Riordan.

"We are friends helping friends. We provide food, at no cost, to individuals and families who are hungry. Our mission is that basic," she said.

Riordan said the need is "greater than you can imagine." When FPNB opened in June 2015, the expectation was it would serve about 30 families per month. That number was exceeded before the month was out. In the ensuing months, the number of North Branford individuals and families receiving grocery staples at no cost from FPNB has continued to grow.

"Currently, we have 130 families registered, to include 354 people to feed every week," Riordan said. "The food comes in and the food goes out."

Constant food drives and fundraising efforts by community groups, businesses, organizations and residents have helped non-profit, all-volunteer FPNB work to keep up with demand. The group also obtains food from Connecticut Food Bank at a reduced rate and purchases food from local vendors to keep shelves stocked, but, "...it is still not enough to ensure the basic needs of our neighbors are met," Riordan noted.

Donations are always welcome; make checks payable to The Food Pantry of North Branford, Inc. and mail to P.O. Box 403, North Branford, CT 06471.

FPBN is located in Northford in the basement of St. Andrews Church (1328 Middletown Avenue). To volunteer or for more information, call (203) 208-2581.