Bringing supplies, sense of community

NORTH CANAAN — Every business day, 40 tons of food are distributed to soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and low-income adult- and child-care programs across the state, through the Connecticut Food Bank.

Donated food and cash have kept a steady supply of food flowing to those in need. From a desk and chair provided by Christian Community Action for Mark Patton (a New Haven soup kitchen volunteer) the program expanded rapidly.

By year two, it was a certified affiliate of Feeding America (then called America’s Second Harvest). It now supplies more than 700 community-based programs from three warehouses.

In North Canaan, Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry has purchased from Connecticut Food Bank as needed to meet demand here. Now, through the efforts of a Canaan Child Care Center (CCCC) parent, its mobile food bank, a tractor-trailer filled with food, arrives monthly.

It is scheduled for the fourth Monday (which is not always the last Monday of the month; and the truck doesn’t come on holiday Mondays) at 11:30 a.m. at Station Place in the center of town.

There is no need to register or provide proof of need.

CCCC Director Fran Chapell estimated about 100 people line up, rain or shine. That would be the “catch;” also, the truck is not always on time, making it difficult for people who have to leave work.

“But it’s well worth it,” she said. “They always have fresh fruits and vegetables, and the best lettuce.”

People get to choose what they’ll take. The staples include onions, potatoes and carrots. There is always bread, and there are monthly surprises, such as ravioli or yogurt.

They usually give out milk vouchers, which can be taken right over to Stop & Shop to redeem, Chapell said, adding that the vouchers create an opportuity for people to pull together.

“Those who don’t need the milk will still take the voucher and give it to those who can use it.”

The child center goes through gallons of milk every week, and donated vouchers are always put to good use there.

Chapell said there is always plenty of food on the truck. She knows there is a greater need here and that it can be filled, just like at Fishes & Loaves. She suggested people consider picking up food for someone who needs it but can’t, or won’t, go themselves.

She and other staffers collect food for CCCC families who cannot get to the truck. Other possibilities are being considered as ways to make the program more widely accessible here.

The next mobile food pantry is scheduled for June 22.