Virtual Food Drive Helps Feed The Hungry In Greater Fairfield

The Food Access program feeds 40 pantries and soup kitchens in its Hunger Outreach Network, stocking the shelves with healthy food throughout the fall and early winter. 

The program needs to raise $25,000 by Nov. 1 in order to carry out its mission through the end of the year.

The public can help by making an online donation to the Virtual Food Drive here.

The donations will allow the program to buy food wholesale and in bulk, greatly increasing the buying power of an individual’s contribution.

Organizers ask that supporters consider making a recurring monthly donation. The regular contributions will be used to ensure that Hunger Outreach Network’s critical stocks of food to support 40 food pantries for 20,000 unique visitors remains consistent.

Supporters who prefer to donate food, are encouraged to buy items from the "Healthy Food Shopping List:" Fresh apples, oranges, bananas, clementines (any hand fruit that isn’t too soft), fresh carrots, peppers, tomatoes, kale, corn, green beans, beets, cauliflower and broccoli.

When buying canned food, buyers should choose pop-top lids whenever possible, and donate only healthy foods such as: Low-sodium, no-salt vegetables; low sugar, low sodium pasta sauce; fruit packed in 100 percent juice or water; unsweetened dried fruit such as raisins, not fruit leather or roll ups; shelf-stable milk, such as Parmalat Almond or Soy milk; whole wheat pasta; brown rice; low-sodium canned or dried beans; canned tuna/canned salmon; 100 percent fruit spread (not jellies or jams); natural peanut butter (no sugar, no hydrogenated oils); salsa; Low-sodium or no-salt soups; low-sugar cereals, such as Cheerios, Chex, or Shredded Wheat; whole wheat tortillas; taco shells; unsweetened oatmeal; dried herbs and spices; honey; olive oil; canned tomato products (low sodium diced/pureed or crushed); non-creamy salad dressings and vinegars; low sodium chicken/vegetable broth or stock; and unsalted nuts.

Click here to make a monetary donation.

The Food Access program is supported by the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, which has been a leader in relieving hunger in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, and Trumbull since the early 1980s.

To find out how and where to bring a food donation, contact Michelle McCabe at the Council to be directed to a pantry that most needs it. Email her at michellemccabe@ccgb.org or call 203-334-1121.

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