Bethel Food Pantry Reaches Out to Gov't Workers in Shutdown

BETHEL, CT — United Way of Western Connecticut encourages federal employees who may be struggling to buy groceries and pay their bills to attend its monthly Mobile Food Pantry, which will be held Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Walnut Hill Church, 156 Walnut Hill Road in Bethel. The pantry operates between 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm, and the doors open for clients at 4:30 pm.

The food pantry is less than 10 miles from the Federal Correctional Institution, located on Pembroke Road in Danbury, where approximately 250 employees are working without pay as a result of the government shutdown.

The Bethel Mobile Food Pantry is held every fourth Wednesday of the month. An additional Mobile Food Pantry is conducted on the first Wednesday of the month at Faith Church, 600 Danbury Road, #1, New Milford. United Way funds these pantries in the evening to make them more accessible to working families.

Free, fresh food is distributed, including vegetables, fruits, and dairy—often some of the most expensive food items on the grocery store shelves. This month, are being welcomed. Additional food will be stocked on the Mobile Food Pantry truck to accommodate the federal workers who are impacted by the government shutdown. No identification is required. Attendees are encouraged to bring sturdy bags, as each client receives at least 20 pounds of food.

“We want to support the federal employees who are working to keep services running in our area, despite the fact that they aren’t getting paid,” said Kim Morgan, CEO of United Way. “These free groceries can help them save some of the money they might spend at the grocery store and put that money toward their rent, mortgage, or utilities.”

The Mobile Food Pantry is conducted in partnership with Connecticut Food Bank, which is also sponsoring a “Pop-Up” Pantry this Saturday, January 26, at Jericho Partnership, located at 44 Spring Street, Danbury. That pantry will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Mostly frozen food will be distributed at that event.

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