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03/25/2020 12:00 AMToday, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-33) released a collected list of food resources available in the 33rd State Senate District amid the COVID-19 outbreak in Connecticut. With the viral outbreak causing business closures and disrupting finances for many families, the need for local individuals to know where they can receive food if necessary has never been higher.
Additionally, members of the public who can give back to their communities should consider donating to local food banks, Needleman said. Community support during difficult times can help support those in need.
“We need to support those in our communities who may have been recently laid off or had interruptions in their businesses,” said Needleman. “If you are in trouble in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, please utilize these services. If you can give back, please make donations and help those less fortunate in your community. This will pass, but while we are dealing with it, we need to support each other.”
This list is not conclusive and may not include every resource available.
Food pantries in the 33rd District include:
The Chester Food Pantry—pre-bagged food available for residents
Chester Town Hall
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon
Call ahead: 860-526-0013 x213
The Deep River Food Pantry—pre-bagged food available for residents
56 High Street
Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon; Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Call ahead: 860-526-6033
The Colchester Food Bank—pre-packaged food bags
Call 860-537-7255 to arrange a pickup time through drive-ups. Currently not able to accept donations as Town Hall is closed to the public.
The East Haddam Food Bank will be open regular hours beginning March 24. It is open every Tuesday from 10 to 11:50 a.m. and from 2:30 to 5:25 p.m. Donations can be made at the food bank at 488 Town Street in East Haddam from 8 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 5:30 p.m.
Donations can also be made at donation bins at Liberty Bank in Moodus and the East Haddam and Moodus post offices. More information is available at 860-891-8100.
The East Hampton Food Bank operates Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon at 43 West High Street in East Hampton. Call 860-365-5978 for more information.
The Haddam Emergency Food Bank supplies support to families for up to three weeks in a row, then monthly if a family is still struggling. Normal hours are Mondays by appointment only, Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. Call 860-345-4621 for more information. Haddam Social Services is located at 11 Jail Hill Road in Haddam.
The Portland Food Bank operates Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon in the basement of 7 Waverly Avenue in Portland. It provides non-perishable foods, toiletries and other items for families in need. Call 860-342-6795 for more information.
Grab and Go options in the 33rd District include:
Grab and Go lunches available at Chester, Deep River, and Essex elementary schools weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Estuary Grab & Go Service: Estuary is offering grab and go lunches with pickup sites in Clinton, Old Lyme, and Old Saybrook for anyone 60 or older. Reservations are required and volunteers will assist with paperwork for first-time attendees. Call 860-388-1611 by 11 a.m. the day before pickup, dialing zero to speak to staff members or leaving full name, phone number, pickup location and dates to pick up.
Drive-through service is available at the following locations:
Clinton’s Town Hall Annex, 48 East Main Street, Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11 a.m.; clients will receive two meals per reservation
Old Lyme’s Lymes’ Senior Center, 26 Town Woods Road, Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; clients will pick up five meals per reservation
Old Saybrook’s Estuary Senior Center, 220 Main Street behind the 210 Plaza, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. Clients will pick up two meals on Mondays and Wednesdays and one meal on Fridays. Donations are accepted, with a suggested donation of $3 per meal.
Essex Social Services – grocery giftcards available for residents at 29 West Avenue, Essex, by appointment only. Call 860-767-4340 x201.
Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries are remaining open with pre-bagged food available at:
St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church
222 McVeagh Road, Westbrook
Tuesdays 1 to 2:45 p.m.
First Church of Christ in Saybrook
366 Main Street, Old Saybrook
Tuesdays, 3 to 5 p.m.
First Church of Christ Congregational
55 Church Road, Clinton
Wednesdays 5:45 to 7:45 p.m.
St. John’s Episcopal Church
400 Main Street, Niantic
Thursdays 5 to 6 p.m.
First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
2 Ferry Road, Old Lyme
Saturdays 9 to 11 a.m.