FYI: This Sunday, there will be a "Food for Thought" food drive at Daniel Street. PLEASE bring a non-perishable food item with you to the show!!!
All food that is collected will go to the WHEAT organization...
almost 80% of the students in my school are on free/reduced meal plans, and one of my students\' mothers was starving
herself in order to feed her children. I know we don\'t often think of others, & probably think that it won\'t be enough to make a real difference. But, if every person brings at least one item, it would be incredible. So... take out those cans that have been sitting in your pantry collecting dust - and put them to some good use in this world.
ps - I was hoping to make a flyer to be handed out, but I can\'t post it b/c it\'s an MS Publisher file. But, word-of-mouth is still a
free form of advertising, and it may also help raise attendance at this show!!!! :shrug:
Characterizing the winter as a “rough one,” the head of the city’s oldest food assistance agency is calling for contributions to stock its depleted shelves. West Haven Emergency Assistance Taskforce (WHEAT) Executive Director Rose Majestic made her plea in a letter that accompanied the current edition of "Gleanings,” the agency newsletter. Steep increases in the number of clients aided by the agency in December, January and February have severely compromised the ability of WHEAT to fulfill its mission of helping to feed the city’s needy. With the end of winter comes spring, and the “leanest” time of the year as far as contributions of food and money are concerned.
Majestic reports 22,500 meals were distributed to 529 families over the three-month period. That translates to 1,550 individuals. Of that total, Majestic says 878 were children, compared to 687 the previous year. She termed the increase “horrific.”
“We’re serving more people who are unemployed – many were laid off right after Christmas. Ninety-nine percent of the people who come to WHEAT have some source of income, but don’t make enough to pay the rent, utilities, medical care and food. Buying food always comes last,” she wrote.
What is needed is money and foodstuffs. She’s asking for donations from individuals and groups to help stock the shelves and continue the work.
While the three-month winter period proved to be a challenge, she’s afraid the warmer months are not going to be any better.
The problems mean the agency needs donations and fast.
According to Majestic, a $15 donation can purchase 125 pounds of food from the Connecticut Food Bank, while $25 can help a family from having its gas shut off. A donation of $35 provides a needy family a week’s worth of groceries.
“As we enter into our 31st year of service to the West Haven community, it is still your generosity that keeps our doors open.
Those wishing to arrange a donation can call WHEAT at 931-9877.
