Thanksgiving-to those in need

Hi, all -
I thought I would put together a quick list of ways you can donate to help the hungry and homeless in Bridgeport this Thanksgiving. If you know of someone who needs help you can pass this information along. Here it is below.

From The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport :
"Did you know that every day 30,000 people run the risk of going hungry in Greater Bridgeport? Of this number, approximately 30% are children? And most of the other 70% are homeless teens, seniors, and adults with acute personal, medical, job or life problems that seriously impact their ability to earn a living wage? Although it is unsettling to learn that national figures cite Bridgeport as among our nation's cities with the highest child poverty rates, the number of working poor is particularly disturbing. In one of the wealthiest states in the country, even with at least one parent in the workforce, 26% of Connecticut children are living in poverty."

** The Hunger Outreach Program of The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport provides support services to a network of 34 local congregations and community groups that provide direct services to our neediest neighbors in Bridgeport, Stratford, Trumbull, Monroe and Fairfield. Hunger Outreach also applies for and distributes funds from FEMA to pay for immediate needs — food and necessary equipment — and works to secure long-term funding from U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Hunger Outreach also works with community partners to find long-term solutions to the growing problem of hunger in our community, and serves as an advocate for both the individuals facing hunger and the groups who work to help them. Staff coordinates community efforts to recruit of volunteers needed at local sites and assists with local and national food drives. Feeding Sites - Hunger Outreach, working with local congregations and community groups prepared and served over 1,000,000 meals last year. This network of over 34 food kitchens, pantries and mobile units is made up of mostly volunteers, and works seven days a week, 365 days a year to feed needy families and individuals. Hunger Outreach programs currently serve about 50% of those suffering from hunger in the Greater Bridgeport area. We want to do more. And with your help we can. For more information, please contact Byron Crosdale at byroncrosdale@ccgb.org. Or go to www.ccgb.org that lists the feeding sites.

** Thanksgiving Day Feast at United Congregational Church:
Thanksgiving Day November 27, 12:00 Noon – 3 pm. No Charge, No Reservations, Good Food, Good Music, Good Fellowship at United Congregational Church, 877 Park Avenue.

This is United's 8th Feast and with each year their guest numbers increase. They offer a delicious meal, with as many extra helpings as one would want, as well as bags of fresh fruit, toiletries and a vast array of warm clothing from Joyce's Closet. This year with our economy being what it is, with folks losing jobs, struggling with mortgage/rent payments and utilities costs, they anticipate a larger number than ever to partake in United's invitation to dinner. With this in mind, they are asking members and friends of United for donations of hats, coats, scarves, gloves, warm clothing of any kind. For information, 203-335-3107 or go to www.uccbridgeport.org

** Black Rock Food Pantry To Open
Black Rock Food Pantry is set to open on November 22. To schedule a shopping appointment, individuals or heads of families may call the Food Pantry at 522-6247. A volunteer will either schedule your appointment after ascertaining that you qualify or, return your call as soon as possible if you leave a message with your return number. The Pantry is conveniently located at the corner of Fairfield Avenue and Princeton Street in Black Rock. If you are in need, don't hesitate to give us a call, now. If you know of an individual or family in need of assistance to supplement their food budget through this service, tell them about us.There are no costs associated with this service to the Black Rock community. All qualifying individuals and families should avail themselves of this opportunity. The plan for now is to open every Saturday of the month by appointment. More days may be added as need arises. The Black Rock Food Pantry thanks all those individuals who volunteered their time to make this community service possible.

** Greater Bridgeport Salvation Army Seeks Donations for Thanksgiving Food Aid
The Greater Bridgeport Salvation Army seeks donations of nonperishable food items and cash in support of its annual Thanksgiving food distribution for families living in Bridgeport and three nearby towns.Major Michael Sharpe, the organization's area coordinator, said the number of families seeking help has increased dramatically due to the poor economy.

"At present, we serve an average of 600 to 1,000 mostly working families monthly in our food pantry," Sharpe said. "For Thanksgiving, we anticipate serving 1,500 to 2,000 eligible families in the greater Bridgeport area, which is double the number served last year."

Food items that can be donated include stuffing mix and instant potatoes; canned fruits, yams, vegetables and gravy; packaged desserts and mixes; and juices, coffee, tea and soda. In addition, cash donations are needed to purchase turkeys and other perishable food items.

The local Salvation Army provides programs year-round to support children, families and senior citizens. Last year, its emergency food pantry provided more than 200,000 meals to about 12,000 families. Its Weekend Backpack program provides seven meals each weekend to eligible children in three Bridgeport schools. Thanksgiving food donations can be dropped off weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by Monday, Nov. 24 at the Salvation Army downtown office, 30 Elm St. Checks can be dropped off at, or mailed to (zip code is 06604) the same location. Call 334-0995

** Bridgeport Rescue Mission - Thanksgiving Compassion In Action
Bridgeport Rescue Mission w has recorded a 60% increase in meals provided from 2007 to 2008. And we expect to see record number of folks joining us for meals during the Thanksgiving day holiday. The week of Thanksgiving the mission is preparing to provide an expected 6,400 meals to the hungry and homeless of Fairfield County. We anticipate at least a crowd of 1,400 at our annual Great Thanksgiving banquet on Sunday, Nov. 23 at Golden Hill Methodist Church. We'll also distribute Thanksgiving Pantry Boxes through our mobile kitchen as it travels to sites in Bridgeport, and South Norwalk.

We are calling on friends like you to assist with the massive amounts of food we will need to feed so many people during the holidays and all year round. Please bring donations to our kitchen at 1088 Fairfield Avenue. See web site for list of types of food needed If you are unable to shop or would prefer to make a monetary donation, online at www.bridgeportrescuemission.org to help cover the additional costs of Thanksgiving and Christmas. We believe that no one should go hungry especially during the holidays.

Here's how you, your school, church, business, community organization, Youth Group, or Sunday School class can help during the holidays: Pantry Box Distribution Volunteer Teams -Help us distribute Thanksgiving Pantry Boxes to the working poor - Thursday, November 20 thru Wednesday, November 26 , Must be 18 years old.

Bridgeport Rescue Mission Great Thanksgiving Banquet – Sunday, Nov. 23, Golden Hill United Methodist Church, 210 Elm Street, Bridgeport. Questions? Call (203) 333-4087 and leave a message or go to www.bridgeportrescuemission.org

** The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County is lower Fairfield County's primary hunger-relief organization. We provide food to about 100 non-profit agencies and programs that serve low income people in our six town service area through bags of groceries and congregate meals. These include soup kitchens, food pantries, child care programs, homeless shelters, senior centers, domestic violence safe houses, and rehabilitation programs. 203) 358-8898 www.foodbanklfc.org To serve as an efficient and effective provider of nutritious food to non-profit organizations that feed the hungry in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford and Wilton (note: does not serve Bridgeport), while seeking to raise awareness of and promote action to combat hunger in those communities.

You can also find a comprehensive list of over 40 places in Bridgeport where you can donate food at this email address: http://tinyurl.com/6xzzmr