The Junior League of Greater New Haven, a group of area women of all ages and backgrounds committed to improving the community, has partnered with the Connecticut Food Bank for more than five years and found it among our most rewarding relationships.
The food bank’s mission to alleviate hunger coincides well with the League’s mission, which is to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women, and improve our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
By supporting the important mission of Connecticut Food Bank, we as League members get the opportunity to help strengthen the community in which we live.
We began working with Connecticut Food Bank as what we call a “Done in a Day” project in 2005, and two years later in 2007 developed a committee devoted solely to the partnership. The first activity we took part in was the Caravan of Carriages, when we walked with food-filled grocery carts from Stop & Shop in Branford to Connecticut Food Bank’s warehouse in East Haven.
One of the great aspects of our partnership with Connecticut Food Bank has been the breadth of options it has given us when deciding how to help.
Over the years, League members have pitched in at a wide array of events, and we are very excited to be helping out at the upcoming Super Saturday food drive on Feb. 5, at the Amity Super Stop & Shop, as we have had great experiences volunteering at that event in the past.
In addition, we’ve spent many hours helping to sort food at the CFB, staffing and hosting food drives, and participating in the annual Walk Against Hunger. We’ve also incorporated the food bank into some of our social events, collecting food at our meetings as well as at happy hours in New Haven and Hamden.
We’ve had several members undergo “Hunger 101″ training to get a better idea of how hunger and food insecurity impact people in Greater New Haven. And some of the most popular events among our membership have been helping out during Thanksgiving for All and Stamp Out Hunger events.
The League also has sponsored Connecticut Food Bank’s Virtual Food Drive, where a $10 donation can buy 40 meals for families in need.
We have great respect for Connecticut Food Bank and our partnership with the organization. Beyond our upcoming assistance Feb. 5 at the Super Saturday event, we look forward to continuing and growing our relationship with the great people at the food bank!
Posted by the Junior League of Greater New Haven. Since 2005, the Connecticut Food Bank has provided an additional 50,000 meals to those in need from the funds donated and food drives hosted by the Junior League of Greater New Haven.
