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Health & Fitness

New Project Helps Curb Hunger in Fairfield County

The Weekly Curbside Collection Project is a new initiative launched by Connecticut Food Bank to increase food donations for those who struggle with hunger in Fairfield County.

The Weekly Curbside Collection Project is a new initiative launched by Connecticut Food Bank to increase food donations for those who struggle with hunger in Fairfield County.

“Neighborhoods throughout Fairfield County can work together to curb hunger by donating food once a week through The Weekly Curbside Food Collection Project,” said Connecticut Food Bank Chief Development Officer Janet Kniffin.  “It may only take 20 minutes a week for a neighbor to collect the food that others have left next to their mailboxes – but it will have a huge impact on hunger in Fairfield County.  Kniffin noted the Dolphin Cove neighborhood in Stamford donated more than 200,000 pounds of food over the last 10 years, which took about 20 minutes a week of volunteer effort.

Funded by a grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF), Connecticut Food Bank is working to identify, and connect with, community-minded neighborhoods in Westport, Weston, Fairfield, Southport, Trumbull, Stratford and Shelton.

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“All food collected through the Weekly Curbside Food Collection Program will be distributed in Fairfield County, so we felt compelled to support this easy-to-implement, proven program to meet the growing need for food in Fairfield County food pantries,” said FCCF President and CEO, Juanita T. James.  Funds from the FCCF will also purchase the shoebox-size plastic bins given to each family, into which they place their donated food each week.

The Weekly Curbside Food Collection Project is a great way for students to meet their school’s community service requirement, and to introduce children to the idea of giving back to their local communities and neighbors in need.  For example, older students can coordinate this project in their neighborhood to meet the requirement for a more significant achievement – a Mitzvah project for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah candidate, or a Service Project for a Confirmation student.

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Individuals or families interested in coordinating the Weekly Curbside Food Donation Project in their neighborhood should contact Connecticut Food Bank’s Events & Promotions Coordinator, Jennifer Thomas at 203-469-5000 x 302, or jthomas@ctfoodbank.org.

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