Drive-By Food Drive April 19

Valley Dentist Helps Brighten Holidays

SHELTON- Dr. Bruce Sofferman of Smile Dental Center, 1000 Bridgeport Ave., and his family held their 33rd frozen turkey and canned food drive Nov. 20 to benefit the Spooner House and its Valley Food Bank. The donations will be made into food baskets for more than 600 Valley families in need so they can enjoy a hearty Thanksgiving.

Stuff a Truck to Benefit Spooner House

SHELTON – The Rabine Family Dentistry will be holding a special Stuff a Truck filled with non-perishable items on Saturday, November 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 865 River Road in Shelton.  

This will be an important food drive since many state budgets have been cut, therefore more people than ever are in need of meal support in the lower Naugatuck Valley to obtain all the ingredients necessary for satisfying holiday meals.

The Rabine Family Dentistry Center will also be collecting frozen turkeys and non perishable food items. 

Visit www.actspooner.org for other donation locations and updates for the holiday season.  Also check for updates and pictures on the ACT Spooner House Facebook page. Spooner House is asking everyone to be as generous as possible and thanks you in advance for any help you are able to provide. 

Making Thanksgiving Brighter for Families in Need

SHELTON - Dr. Bruce Sofferman of Smile Dental Center, along with his family and a turkey mascot held their 32nd annual Thanksgiving food drive Wednesday, Nov. 14 to benefit the Spooner House and its Food Bank. Donations of frozen turkeys and non-perishable food items can be dropped off at Smile Dental Center, 1000 Bridgeport Ave., anytime through the holidays, for a chance to win several prizes.

Help Ansonia Police "Stuff-A-Jeep" Dec. 16

ANSONIA - Ansonia Police would like to announce that we will be holding our Annual Stuff-A-Jeep food drive at Stop and Shop on Division Street.

The food drive will be in front of the store on Friday December 16, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Any food or donations we collect will be given to our local food bank. Last year's event was extremely successful so please stop by if you have a chance and make a small donation. Every donation counts. 

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

(Information shared from Ansonia Police Department's Facebook page)

Stuff-A-Cruiser on Sunday, Nov. 20

DERBY - The Derby Police Department Auxiliary will hold a holiday food drive to benefit the St. Vincent De Paul Society from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday at Shop Rite, 49 Pershing Drive.

At the Stuff-A-Cruiser event, officers will accept non-perishable food donations to feed needy Derby families.

“All food items collected will go to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a Derby-based food bank and thrift shop dedicated to feeding our local veterans and the homeless by providing meals and clothing to those that have sacrificed for our country and those less fortunate - especially during the holiday season,” said Lt. Chris Pizzi of the Auxiliary Unit.


The Derby Police Auxiliary is an all-volunteer group of non-sworn police officers that work closely with the sworn officers of the Derby Police Department for everything from routine patrol and traffic assignments to organizing events that benefit the Derby community.
 

An estimated 22 percent of Derby residents are food-insecure, according to calculations of food insecurity data compiled by the nonprofit food bank, FeedingAmerica.org. 
 

“Our organization and group of caring volunteers are dedicated to providing our veterans, the homeless, and those less fortunate families in Derby with food and clothing - some of the very basics that many of us take for granted -especially during the holiday season,” said Remy Kocurek, Director, St. Vincent de Paul Society. "Donations have dropped off in recent years and we are especially grateful to the Derby Police Auxiliary for volunteering their time to support such important causes." 

During the food drive, officers will stuff police cruisers with non-perishable food items only and a list of some of the recommended items to donate will be provided to Shop Rite customers at the food drive and many of those items will be on sale during the event.

While only non-perishable items will be collected at the event, anyone wishing to make money donations may do so by mailing a check to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby, 06418.

“Valley residents have a tradition of supporting our veterans and those less fortunate and I know they will continue to come through for us at the Stuff-A-Cruiser event on November 20," Pizzi said.
 

For more information, contact Officer John Izzo, 860-929-8715, or jizzo9531@gmail.com.


(This is a press release from St. Vincent De Paul Society)

Thanksgiving Food Drive Nov. 20

Ansonia Police to hold Stuff-A-Jeep Event

PHOTO: St. Mary-St. Michael School collects 570 donations for Spooner House

DERBY >> St. Mary-St. Michael School collected 570 donations for their Spooner House food drive last week. Pictured are 7th and 8th grade students Michael Rizzitelli, Jan Mazan, AJ Sibilia, Jason Peters, Brandon Coletta, and Igor Poliwoda who helped to the load food from the school-wide drive.

Food drive Nov. 22 in Seymour to help feed local families this Thanksgiving

Spooner House requests food, frozen turkeys for families in need

Contributed photo/Spooner House

SHELTON >>  The Spooner House annual frozen turkey and fixings drive has begun and has some new locations and offers for everyone donating between now and mid December. See details below for the list of locations this year in chronologically order by date who are supporting the ACT Spooner House Holiday Food Drives.

A list of specific food items needed for the frozen turkey drive is at the end of the release or visit http://www.actspooner.org/ for more details. Please check our Facebook Page or website since some locations for the drive will not be able to accept frozen turkeys, only non-perishable items for the holiday food baskets.
 
If these dates and times are not convenient, you may also drop food items at the Spooner House, 30 Todd Road in Shelton, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m. Checks should be made payable and mailed to: Spooner House, 30 Todd Road , Shelton CT 06484.
 
Donations may also be made securely using PayPal by clicking on the Donate button at www.actspooner.org. Contact:  kpipa@actspooner.org or 203-225-0453 ext. 102.

Year Round donations for Spooner House Food Bank are now being accepted at these locations:

Frozen turkeys and non-perishable food contributions during business hours:
Stop and Shop at 100 Division Avenue in Ansonia and
Starbucks at 504 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton
       
Girl Scout Troop #64164 7th Graders at First United Methodist Church
Turkeys Only Drive
Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
188 Rocky Rest Road, Shelton   203-929-3537

Shelton High School Basketball Team Clinic
Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Non-perishable food and cash
Special fundraiser at the Shelton Intermediate School, drop off a holiday donation of food or cash in the can to help Operation Holiday, and shoot some hoops for free as the basketball season gets into full swing.
675 Constitution Blvd. in Shelton  203-926-2000

Seymour Middle School and Chatfield-Lopresti School -
Accepting only Frozen Turkeys , no food
Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Continuing a 13 year tradition, 8th Graders will be collecting at both Seymour Middle School , 211 Mountain Road and
Chatfield-LoPresti School , 51Skokorat Street in Seymour .

 
REQUESTED LIST OF FIXINGS

HOLIDAY “BASKET” LIST 1 box Instant potatoes 2 Packages of Gravy 1 box/or bag Stuffing mix 4 cans vegetables any choice Corn/peas/asparagus/ yams/carrots 1 can cranberry sauce Pie crust mix Pie filling, choice 1 jar Pickles 2 cans Olives 1 can evaporated milk or powdered milk Coffee/Tea Powdered juice mix Canned fruit: mixed fruit, peaches, fruit                           cocktail, pineapple Extras: napkins, salt, pepper. sugar, brownie mix, corn bread mix

Please place your items in a sturdy box or bin.

This is a press release from Spooner House.

Spooner House food collection will provide over 3,317 meals to Lower Naugatuck Valley residents

Photos courtesy of Spooner House

SHELTON >> During the month of September, 4,976 non-perishable food items were collected during Hunger Action Month to provide over 3,317 meals to Lower Naugatuck Valley residents, Spooner House said in a press release.

Spooner House said it reached its Week 4 goal of 2,000 items and surpassed it to receive 2,099 items donated the last week of the month alone.

The organization thanks everyone who donated or held a food drive on its behalf, and says it couldn't have done it without the community's support. 

The "Virtual Food Drive" raised $535, double the goal. Spooner House operates the largest food pantry in the Lower Naugatuck Valley. In 2013, Spooner House served 135,000 meals through the Valley Food Bank and 30,000 meals through the shelter.

Spooner House also gives special thanks to: Naugatuck Valley Savings & Loan; Better Packages, Inc.; Unilever; The Managing Agency Group; Webster Bank Shelton employees; St. Mary-St. Michael School; Chaves Bakery - Shelton; Julia's Bakery - Orange; Royal Bakery - Shelton; The Ice Cream Shoppe; Walmart - Shelton; OEM Controls, Inc.; Prestige Industrial Finishing Co.; Pier 1 Imports Employees; Altair Global Relocation; Aspetuck Village Community; Energizer Personal Care; Seymour United Methodist Church; Trinity Lutheran Church; Riverside Community Church; Flowers de Jardin; David Grant Caterers; Matthew S.'s confirmation project; Stop & Stop in Ansonia for their Food for Friends program on Spooner House's behalf; Stop & Shop in Seymour for letting Spooner House host a food drive; Adam's Hometown Market in Shelton for letting Spooner House host a food drive; and all the anonymous individuals who donated.

The above information was provided in a press release from Spooner House.

Seymour Ambulance to hold food drive

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Ambulance Association will hold its second annual Summer Food Drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Seymour Stop and Shop, 15 Franklin St.

This event helps to keep the Seymour/Oxford Food Bank stocked during the summer months. The summer is a critical time for food banks because donations decrease. It is vital for those in need in the community to receive assistance throughout the year.

For information contact Jesse Rallis, 203-888-8843, ext. 0.


This post is taken from a press release from Scott Andrews, President/Chief, Seymour Ambulance Association.

Residents 'generous' in donating to Spooner House in Shelton

Collection surpasses goal
In a press release today, Spooner House executive director Susan Agamy said, "The 12th annual Valley Has a Heart Spooner House food collection held Saturday at three Stop & Shop stores in the Lower Naugatuck Valley proved residents here are generous, despite the rough winter we have all experienced. We were over our goal by more than $1,850."

Stop & Shop, the event's marquee sponsor, along with site sponsors Daniel Jacobs, LLC of Oxford and Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte & Sterczala, PC of Shelton, contributed $2,850.  

The Spooner House Food Bank received 51 shopping cart loads of food from all three Stop & Shop sites and the cash collected was just under $2,000.  Totals were:

Ansonia – 13 carts of food; $439.20

Seymour – 16 carts of food; $530.13

Shelton – 22 carts of food; $988.48

The goal was to gather enough non-perishable food to last for at least two months and $3,000 to use for restocking the shelves as needed during the cold winter months. 
Check out the Spooner House website linked above for a list of the most-needed food items.

Non-profit Area Congregations Together, Inc. was formed in 1979 to help fill gaps in the Naugatuck Valley’s social service network. 
Today, Spooner House is operated by ACT and is a facility that provides food, shelter and support services to approximately 200 men, women and children each year.  More than 6,000 individuals have been served by the Food Bank this past year, comprising more than 130,000 meals. 

Spooner House is recognized as one of the most comprehensive emergency shelter programs in Connecticut and through its food bank provides a week’s supply of groceries each month to participating families throughout the Naugatuck Valley. 
Spooner House is devoted to helping people establish self-sufficiency in an atmosphere of respect and dignity. 


This is taken from a press release from Area Congregations Together, Inc., a partner agency of the Valley United Way.

Reminder: Saturday is food collection day in the Valley

The 12th annual Valley Has a Heart Annual Food Drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at three Stop and Shop stores in the Valley: Ansonia, Seymour and Shelton. 

The goal is to gather enough non-perishable food to last for at least two months and $3,000 in cash to use for restocking the shelves as needed during the cold winter months.

"Food stocks always get depleted during the holidays and also when storms impact the area, said Susan Agamy, Executive Director of Spooner House.

"We are in need of generous contributions right now for restocking considering the issues of the past few weeks. Providing healthy meals for families is an important topic these days, so I wanted to let our hundreds of donors know that our food bank always tries to be sure each recipient receives a balanced package of food, with the proper mixture of food groups, so they will have sustainable lives."

The Stop and Shop stores where donations can be made are at 100 Division St., Ansonia, 15 Franklin St., Seymour and 898 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton. 
Stop and Shop, marquee sponsor, is joined by site sponsors Daniel Jacobs LLC of Oxford and Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte & Sterczala, P.C. of Shelton.

Volunteers are needed at each location to collect and organize the food. Contact Tony Vellucci at 203-225-0453 if you are able to provide just a few hours of help Saturday. This is a great activity for Scouts, church youth groups, high school students and civic clubs.


Those unable to visit one of the three stores Saturday may make a donation by mailing a check to ACT Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, Shelton, 06484.

Spooner House is operated by ACT. It is a facility that provides food, shelter and support services to approximately 200 men, women and children each year. More than 6,000 individuals have been served by the Food Bank this past year, comprising more than 130,000 meals. 
Spooner House is devoted to helping people establish self-sufficiency in an atmosphere of respect and dignity.


This is a press release from Area Congregations Together, Inc., a partner agency of the Valley United Way.

Food collection planned in Ansonia, Seymour, Shelton

ANNOUCING SPOONER HOUSE'S 2014 VALLEY HAS A HEART

Donate to ACT Spooner House via Paypal The 12th annual Valley Has a Heart food collection will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22 at three Stop & Shop stores in the lower Naugatuck Valley: Ansonia, Seymour and Shelton. The goal is to gather enough non-perishable food to last for at least two months and $3,000 in cash to use for restocking the shelves as needed during the cold winter months. The collections will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at each location. A list of the most needed items is below. The Stop & Shop stores where donations can be made are at 100 Division Street in Ansonia, 15 Franklin Street in Seymour and 898 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton. Every year this heart-felt event is a huge success due to volunteers and community members like yourself who donate your time, food, and monetary donations to allow us to continue to provide essential services for which thousands of people rely on Spooner House each year. If you would like to arrange a donation please contact Tony Vellucci at Spooner House, avellucci@actspooner.org / 203-225-0453 x102 If you would like to volunteer at one of the Valley Has a Heart locations please select a button below. VOLUNTEER - ANSONIA VOLUNTEER - SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER - SHELTON

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Spooner House is Operated by Area Congregations Together, Inc., a charitable orginization to secion 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service. The donor recieved no goods or services in return for this gift. Your contribution is tax-deductable to the extent allows by the law. Our web and mailing address are: www.actspooner.org, 30 Todd Road Shelton, CT* unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Derby dentist, family continue journey of helping less fortunate

Need is greater than ever

DERBY - On Thursday I visited the Soffermans as they were doing what must be second nature to them now - flagging down drivers and asking for help to feed the Valley's needy. 

This is the 27th year they have collected food and money before Thanksgiving.

Dr. Bruce Sofferman, his wife, Deborah, and daughter Sophia peer into a vehicle seeking a donation to their annual Thanksgiving food drive.  

This was the first time they stationed themselves on heavily-traveled New Haven Avenue at the intersection of Chapel Street. Sofferman said it was a great location. 

 Ansonia resident Ray Tillotson helped the cause by being a turkey for a day.

Sofferman greets Mayor Tony Staffieri, who stopped by to donate a turkey. 

The foursome poses for a group shot. The photo shows just some of the items that were piled up on the grass.

All food and monetary donations are going to the Spooner House in Shelton. Local families will have a happier holiday because of this drive. 

The Soffermans deserve plaudits for their years of dedication.

Local dentist, family collecting food today in Derby

A holiday tradition

The Rev. Deborah Sofferman, left, and her daughter, Sophia, wave at passing cars alongside New Haven Avenue (Route 34) at the corner of Chapel Street in Derby this morning.
They will be collecting food and cash donations there all day for Spooner House in Shelton.
Local dentist Dr. Bruce Sofferman started the Thanksgiving food drive in the 1980s.

Stay tuned for a story and photos in tomorrow's New Haven Register and at www.nhregister.com.

Ansonia business holding holiday food drive

ANSONIA - Frank A. Hoinsky Real Estate, Inc. is holding its annual food drive for Spooner House in Shelton.

Hoinsky said in a release, "We have been receiving some donations, but we are in need of more for this Thanksgiving holiday.

"We are looking specifically for frozen turkeys and non-perishable food items. If you would like to make a money donation, you can make the check out to Spooner House.

"If you would like to donate you can do one of two things: first, you can always drop off the donation at the office at 685 Main St.

"Second, if you would like to make a donation and just can’t make it to our office,

please give us a call at our office and we would love to come to your home and pick it up from you.

The office number is 203-732-8080. You can talk with an agent when you call.
"Or, if after hours, leave a voice mail at extension 10 and Brenda, our assistant, will make sure one of the agents gets the message.

"Thanks to all of you and hoping you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday," Hoinsky said.

Drive in Seymour to support food bank

Help feed needy Valley families