Helping Hands of the Valley needs a hand

Shelves are bare at food pantry in Derby

Shelves in the food pantry.

DERBY - Cindy Barbian, manager at St. Vincent De Paul thrift shoppe and food pantry, said she has never seen their supply of non-perishable food items so low.
The nonprofit reopened last week after being closed for the month of August. On Thursday when I visited I saw there was a real shortage of staples such as soups, pastas, rice, cereals, canned fruits, and tuna. Barbian said the only item of which they have plenty at the moment is canned vegetables. But that stock will also start to dwindle as more and more families contact the organization.

The phone has been ringing off the hook, Barbian said. A lot of families are looking for food assistance, and the organization does not have much to give.


Barbian has put the word out that any donation would help the organization to assist the needy. She   is asking residents to keep St. Vincent De Paul Helping Hands of the Valley in mind when they go grocery shopping, and to pick up a few extra items to donate.

It would mean a lot to those who are truly in need.