The local non-profit The Needs Clearing House (NCH) has begun a program to feed the hungry and needy in Fairfield County.
The program goes well beyond the Thanksgiving holiday and year end holiday festivities. It is a program designed to run year round.
According to NCH Co-Presidents Joe Kaliko and Fred Camillo, and Executive Director Phil Brous, a pilot “Pizza Buffet” was held in November, offering a real nutritious treat and diversion from food served in many shelters. The NCH leaders report that the pilot was a big success.
Some 200 people were treated to pizza for lunch and dinner at the Bridgeport Rescue Mission (BRM) and at the Disability Resource Network (DRN) last month.
The BRM feeds the hungry, no questions asked, everyday of the week; while the DRN services some 100 handicapped and brain injured people daily in two locations (Bridgeport and Shelton).
The NCH not only provides the food for all comers, but also gives the kitchen staff and other staff at these facilities a break from having to prepare a meal for so many people. The agencies resources are also conserved for another meal.
NCH has partnered with Aaron’s Furniture of Bridgeport and Planet Pizza of Greenwich, Fairfield and Shelton to make this now monthly program a reality.
In December, Greenwich’s Abilis on East Elm Street and Kids in Crisis have joined the list of “Pizza Buffet” beneficiaries. Expanding also to two women’s shelters in Bridgeport, NCH and its partners will now be feeding some 250 people every month at dates and times chosen by the recipient organizations.
The BRM, its women’s shelters and Abilis all held their December pizza pie dinners this week on Wednesday, December 3, 2014.
Kids in Crisis will be receiving their pizza pies for dinner on Friday December 12, 2014.
The DRN will receive their pies for lunch at 12:00 noon on December 19 at both their Bridgeport and Derby locations.
The January dates for all of these organizations will be announced before the end of December. All are welcome to come and enjoy!
Once again, these events will be held monthly and people wishing to participate via making donations are urged to visit www.theneedsclearinghouse.org for donation information. The NCH is a 501c3