High Protein Foods Needed To Stock The Pantry

SOUTHBURY — Help is urgently needed this spring to collect nourishing food for our neighbors in need. Brownstein Jewish Family Service of the Federation, Jewish Communities of Western Connecticut, Inc, is again teaming up with United Way and the Greater Waterbury Emergency Food Resource Committee, a coalition of area food pantries and soup kitchens, to help stock the shelves.

Brownstein JFS will be collecting high protein food such as tuna, salmon, canned meats or stews, hearty soups, beans, and peanut butter. Food donations can be dropped off at the Federation at 444 Main Street North.

All of the local food pantries and soup kitchens are seeing huge increases in the numbers of clients they are serving. In addition, local food pantries are also trying to cope with the traditional increase in families requesting help to feed their children during the summer. Current inventory levels are not able to meet the increase in demand.

The summer months are an especially high-risk time for low-income families. During the school year, school lunches and breakfasts can provide more than one-half of the nutrients low-income children consume every weekday. When children lose access to these meals during the summer, they and their families find it difficult to fill this gap.

As a result, local families will go hungry.

Last year’s Stock the Pantry initiative was a great success, with local United Way funded agencies and other compassionate companies contributing more than two tons of food. It is hoped that everyone who comes to the Federation programs or office can help by contributing some high protein food throughout the spring.

Food will then be distributed by the Connecticut Food Bank to local soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters. For more information, contact Debby Horowitz, Brownstein JFS director, at 203-267-3177, extension 105.