Bread for Life, Widely Supported, Sees To It That No One Goes Hungry

Operating in Southington for 26 years, Bread for Life exists so that “no one may go hungry.” Shirley Mason, a member of the Board of Directors since it began, has witnessed a phenomenal story.

“Through the years, the need for such a feeding program has grown.” Mason said. “Thanks to the support of churches, community support groups, and so many who give money, food and their own time, we’ve been able to expand our services.”

Executive DirectorEldon Hafford says hot meals are prepared each weekday at the organization's facility at the Friendship Hall behind the Masonic Lodge at the Town Green. About 30 clients arrive at noon for a nutritious, soup-to-dessert hot meal. They receive a cold meal for later, including baked goods donated by local stores.

“Bread for Life is non-judgmental, but client documentation is important,” Hafford said. “We qualify clients discreetly, respecting each person’s dignity. Our computer based reports, records and communications help us ensure full compliance with the requirements of a non-profit organization.

“Bread for Life collaborates in many ways with Southington Community Services. Bread for Life warehouses its collected food donations and shares it with the Southington Food Pantry,” he said. “This has resulted in efficiency, while expanding the hours. ... Qualified residents in need of supplemental groceries can visit the Southington Food Pantry" at 91 Norton Street in Plantsville.

“From its earliest days to the present, Bread for Life has grown from a feeding program for the hungry to a resource center making referrals to a host of social services provided by other agencies,” Mason said.

Curtis D. Robinson, a self-made entrepreneur, developer and philanthropist, was looking for an opportunity to do something meaningful for Southington’s hungry and soon found he could help through Bread for Life.

“I asked questions and was referred to Eldon Hafford of Bread for Life,” he said. “After we got to know each other, I said to Eldon, 'I would like to feed 1,000families.'” 

Clearly moved, Hafford discussed the idea with Robinson and they arrived at a plan and a budget.  Robinson wrote a check to Bread for Life and fulfilled his wish “to feed a multitude of people.”

Learn more about Robinson at the St. Francis Care website.

Bread for Life operates another program that reaches all of the Southington Housing Authority facilities as well, taking the time to assist the town’s elderly or disabled who are homebound.

“About 200 hot meals are delivered from [Bread for Life] each week in a scheduled rotation that includes individual shut-ins,” Hafford said.

Please join Southington Heartbeat next week in a tour of one of these locations and a visit with its residents. 

My journey in retirement has taken me to many places, right here in Southington, where I’ve seen 1,000 people and still counting, who, for the love of God and in common decency, are doing something for others in a thousand different ways. These are the Hearts and Souls of Southington.