Giving Tuesday Pie Wars Challenge A Success For Guilford

GUILFORD, CT — Even though Guilford came up just short to East Haven in this year's Giving Tuesday Pie Wars Challenge, the fundraiser was still a success.

The two towns faced off in a month-long fundraising challenge to support Community Dining Room (CDR), the nonprofit organization that provides food, support, and companionship to residents along the south-central Connecticut shoreline.

"We spent an entire month collecting dollars from the community to help our neighbors in need for that global movement of Giving Tuesday and together raised almost $5,000 for our neighbors in need," said CDR Executive Director Judith Barron at the event, which was held at Twin Pines Diner in East Haven on Dec. 12.

Guilford was ahead by $5, but some last-minute donations pushed East Haven in front. East Haven residents raised $2,200 and Guilford raised $2,180.

As a result, and in good fun, East Haven Mayor Joe Carfora smashed a banana pie in the face of Guilford First Selectman Matt Hoey.

"I'm proud to be part of this," Hoey said. "As part of our community, and even though the Community Dining Room is in Branford, it services many Guilford residents, and for many of them, it's a lifelin. This whole idea of Giving Tuesday, it should happen all year long. We should be mindful of the needs that are in our community."

Last year, according to Barron, CDR served 48,000 meals to people in need.

To watch Hoey take a pie to the face, click here.

For more information on Community Dining Room, check out their website.