Annual Stock the Pantry Food Drive Kicks Off
Raise As Much Food As You Can Between Now and United Way's Day of Action June 19th!
The Post University Women's softball team in Waterbury loads peanut butter, jelly and fluff for the local food pantries. During April, the team collected 402 jars to kick off the United Way of Greater Waterbury's annual "Stock the Pantry" food drive.
Annual Stock the Pantry Food Drive Kicks Off - Raise As Much Food As You Can Between Now and United Way's Day of Action June 19th!
There is only one way to change what we see in the world around us, and that is to take action! United Way is asking for your company's participation in our annual ‘Stock the Pantry’ food drive to help support the Greater Waterbury Emergency Food Resource Committee, a coalition of area food pantries and soup kitchens.
The food drive will run from May through June, culminating on United Way’s Day of Action, Friday, June 19, 2009, at which time the total amount of food raised by weight will be announced to the media, focusing attention on the growing needs of those experiencing hunger and how taking decisive action as a community can make a difference.
Local soup kitchens and food pantries are reporting increased requests for services as a result of the economic downturn, seeing new faces that have never had to reach out for help before. Combined with low-income families who lose access to school lunches and breakfasts in the summer, inventories can be quickly overwhelmed as families try to fill the gap.
Last year’s Stock the Pantry was a great success. 36 local companies showed what it means to LIVE UNITED by contributing over 5,000 pounds of tuna, cereal, beef stew, peanut butter and jelly. This generosity provided 3,846 meals throughout the summer months!
Here’s how Stock the Pantry works:
- Contact Brian Amero at United Way of Greater Waterbury to sign your company up.
(203)757-9855 x15 or brian.amero@ctunitedway.org
- Your company will be asked to choose a specific food item based on a wish list developed by our local pantries. This year they include tuna, peanut butter & jelly, canned meals (stew, chili, hearty soups etc.), macaroni & cheese, rice, cereal and juice boxes.
- Then spread the word to employees to bring in as much of that item as possible. Stock the Pantry will begin immediately upon sign up and culminate on the United Way Day of Action, Friday, June 19, 2009
- Companies participating can drop off donations at the Waterbury Branch of the Connecticut Food Bank throughout Stock the Pantry. United Way will provide directions/instructions for drop off when your company registers with us. (Delivery assistance is available if needed upon request).
- Your items will be weighed & donor’s name noted at the Connecticut Food Bank.
- Your participation will be noted in United Way of Greater Waterbury press materials, on our web-site and in a Thank You ad printed in the Republican-American newspaper announcing the collective results of all participating.
We're sure you’ll agree this is a great opportunity for your company to have some fun, while engaging in a community wide effort to help local families who are struggling to put food on the table.
We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience so we can provide additional details on Stock the Pantry. Please contact Brian Amero at United Way, 203-757-9855, ext. 15 to register.
Thank you for your consideration in participating in the United Way Day of Action to help Stock the Pantry!