This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
11/15/2021 11:00 PMThe Scranton Memorial Library has kicked off its annual food drive and support is urgently needed. Their Season of Giving: A Library Food Drive commenced on Nov. 2 and will run through Friday, Dec. 17. All donations can be dropped off at the Scranton Library, 801 Boston Post Road, Madison.
According to Adult Services Librarian Rachel Taylor, this nearly two-month-long food drive is meant to benefit those in need in the shoreline area. The library will collaborate with the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries for this program.
“We actually did a very similar food drive with Linda and the Clinton pantry last year during the thick of the pandemic, and we managed to raise over 500 pounds of non-perishable food and other supplies for the Shoreline pantries,” said Taylor. “It was such a success that we decided to do an encore of it this year. A food drive puts into perspective how much we have compared to how little many others have. It also makes us grateful for everything we have in our lives that we frequently take for granted. It’s important to participate because it makes us better and more compassionate human beings.”
To help those in need, the library is requesting that patrons bring donations of non-perishable food to the library as well as non-food items such as cleaning and hygiene supplies, health and beauty items, and other goods. Non-food donations should be brand new and any food donations should be well before their expiration dates.
The drive is also accepting winter hats, gloves, scarves, etc. for those in need of winter clothing. Taylor said that patrons should not donate any glass jars and that all grocery items must be unopened.
There is no registration necessary to participate in the drive and donations should be taken to the café area of the library’s entrance hall. Patrons may make their donations anytime during library business hours, said Taylor.
Library Director Sunnie Scarpa said this event is one of the most fulfilling the library does each year.
“We did it last year and were blown away with how generous the community was. Even in the midst of the worst winter most of us have experienced, people jumped at the chance to give to others,” said Scarpa. “We see programs like this as an extension of our motto ‘Let us connect you.’ We know that people in our community are very generous and want to help the less fortunate, but we also know they’re really busy—especially during the holidays! By making it easy to drop donations off right at the library, we’re able to connect them to the local charities who need our support.”
Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries Clinton Pantry Manager Linda Smith said the need has only increased through the pandemic.
“The need is very, very high. Two years ago, we served an average of 125 families per week; we are now averaging 240 per week,” said Smith. “We need all types of shelf-stable foods, especially small packs of Juicy Juice, snacks for school and work, cereal of all kinds. We also love when we get three-pound bags of sugar and flour, toothpaste, shampoos etc. Everything goes in a bag and distributed that way, so the size of items needs to be small so the bags don’t get too heavy. Donors can be assured…that they are fulfilling a real need.”
According to Taylor, donating is easy and the need is critical along the shoreline.
“There are lots of great ways to help out. Donating food, specifically new, non-perishable food, is the most important thing. Addressing hunger is the priority. However, donating other items, such as cleaning supplies, health and beauty items, household goods, and just about anything non-perishable you can find at a grocery store will be more than welcome,” Taylor said. “Patrons are welcome and encouraged to bring them to the library during our business hours; we’ve got a station in our café area where we’re keeping the items until it’s time for pickup.”
Patrons can make their donations at any time during library business hours and should drop them off at the café area of the library’s entrance hall.
While SSKP does not have a meal site or food pantry in Madison, it does have locations nearby, including in Westbrook and Old Saybrook, and it serves residents in several shoreline towns, including Madison. More information is available at www.shorelinesoupkitchens.org/get-help. Madison also has its own food pantry, run by Community Services of Madison, madisoncommunityservices.org/.