Pantry at Spooner House in Shelton needs donations during summer

SHELTON - The Valley Food Bank operated by Spooner House typically gets very low on non-perishable supplies during the summer. 

This year is no exception.

"The need is primarily because children who rely on free or reduced breakfast and lunch in school are no longer receiving these important meals during the summer months," said Susan Agamy, Executive Director, Spooner House. 

“There is also a greater need for food banks this time of year by parents who need to find a way to provide these additional meals. In addition, many regular donors are on vacation. To help us through this difficult period, we have developed a list of the most needed items and ten ways any individual, family, or group in the Lower Naugatuck Valley can help us fight hunger this summer."

The food bank has a low supply of the following:

spaghetti/tomato sauce, peanut butter and jelly, soups/stews, canned tuna, canned chicken, beans, mixed fruit, rice, and packaged macaroni and cheese.

The list of ways anyone can help includes these suggestions:

1.     Run a neighborhood food drive

2.     Organize a food drive at a local grocery store. This is a particularly cool idea on hot days.

3.     Hold a lemonade stand to benefit Spooner House

4.     Shop on Amazon.com. Go to Amazon Smile! then search for Area Congregations Together"

5.     Grow a garden and then donate your extra vegetables

6.     Take part in the Plumb Memorial Library summer reading program

7.     Collect non-perishables at your summer camp

8.     Run a restock the household supplies drive for the Spooner House

9.     Prepare an evening meal for the Spooner House residents. This can be done by a small group

10.  Make a tax-deductible monetary donation.

More detailed information on the ideas above can be found at www.actspooner.org. 

If you have time this summer, please drop food items at Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. though there is staff on duty 24/7.  

Contact the supervisor on duty to set up and assist with any donation delivery at 203-225-0453. 

Checks should be made payable and mailed to: Spooner House, and mailed to 30 Todd Road, 

Shelton CT 06484. Secure donations may also be made via PayPal by clicking on the Donate button at the 

bottom of the ACT Spooner House home page. 

Area Congregations Together, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization and was formed in 1979 to help fill gaps in the lower Naugatuck Valley's social service network. 

Spooner House is operated by ACT and is a facility that provides food, shelter and support services to approximately 150 men, women and children during the year, annually for 5,000 people are providing approximately 108,000 meals. 
Spooner House is recognized as one of the most comprehensive emergency shelter programs in Connecticut and through its food bank provides 10 days' worth of groceries each month to participating families throughout the lower Naugatuck Valley. 

Spooner House is devoted to helping people establish self-sufficiency in an atmosphere of respect and dignity. 

Area Congregations Together, Inc. is a partner agency of the Valley United Way.

This is a press release from Area Congregations Together, Inc.