The United Way of Western Connecticut is encouraging federal employees who may be struggling to buy groceries and pay their bills to attend its monthly Mobile Food Pantry, which will be held today at Walnut Hill Church in Bethel. The pantry operates between 5:30pm and 6:30pm, and the doors open for clients at 4:30.
The food pantry is less than 10 miles from the Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, where approximately 260 employees are working without pay as a result of the government shutdown. United Way of Western Connecticut CEO Kim Morgan says money they might otherwise be spent at the grocery store can then be put toward rent, mortgage, or utilities.
The Bethel Mobile Food Pantry is held every fourth Wednesday of the month. The free, fresh food includes vegetables, fruits, and dairy. Additional food will be stocked on the Mobile Food Pantry truck to accommodate those workers. Attendees are encouraged to bring sturdy bags.
An additional Mobile Food Pantry is conducted on the first Wednesday of the month at Faith Church in New Milford. United Way funds these pantries in the evening to make them more accessible to working families.
The Mobile Food Pantry is conducted in partnership with Connecticut Food Bank, which is also sponsoring a “Pop-Up” Pantry this Saturday, January 26th, at Jericho Partnership, located at 44 Spring Street, Danbury. That pantry will be held from 11 am to noon. Mostly frozen food will be distributed at that event.
