Heav'nly Donuts in Derby to host food drive for Spooner House in Shelton

 

Heav'nly Donuts in Derby to host Fill the Crosley food drive for Spooner House

 

Valley Food Bank at Spooner House in Shelton needs food, monetary donations

SHELTON - Due to continuing situations revolving around the coronavirus, including laid-off workers who have lost wages, means many more families need items from the Valley Food Bank in Shelton operated by Spooner House. 

The food bank is running low on non-perishable supplies. The normal supplies which are often donated by senior citizens who are not allowed to shop or travel safely, has also lowered collection levels. 

All of this is compounded by the closing of schools where a large number of children from low-income families received free meals. 

There are currently 10 people including three children living at Spooner House.

 

"Many of our regular recipients are doubled up with family and friends," said Susan Agamy, Executive Director of Spooner House, "making it difficult to isolate if someone is ill, and for those experiencing homelessness, sheltering in place is almost impossible. 

"There is also a greater need for laundry services for all those displaced so the Spooner House washers and dryers need to be repaired or replaced due to overuse recently. We currently have 1,500 people on the statewide wait list for shelter and related resources, including counseling."

 

"While we continue to communicate with our legislative senators and representatives," Agamy said, "the matter of obtaining more funds is not a 'one and done' situation, there are many hoops to leap through."

 

More detailed information on the ideas above can be found at www.actspooner.org. When you have donations or if you have items right now you may safely drop food at Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. though there is staff on duty 24/7, food and household supplies are accepted at any time, simply ring the buzzer at the entrance and someone will be out to assist you unload items. 

You may also contact the supervisor on duty to set up a drop-off time or donation delivery at 203-225-0453.

 

Monetary donations by check are always welcome and should be made payable and mailed to: Spooner House, 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.

About Area Congregations Together, Inc. 

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

Today, 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. 

Heav'nly Donuts in Derby to host food collection for Spooner House

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.

Shelton basketball teams to sponsor food drive for Spooner House

Spooner House in Shelton thanks walk supporters

Thank you to all the participants, sponsors, and volunteers who helped make our 20th year a big success! You helped us raise $17,514 for the hunger and homeless initiatives at Spooner House! Though the impact made is enormous, our goal was to raise $20,000 for the 20th year of our Walk! There is still time to help us reach our goal. If you haven't made a donation yet, you still can. The 2017 Walk online fundraising page will be open until Monday, May 29: Make A Donation Here

Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, Shelton, is operated by Area Congregations Together.

20th annual walk in Derby Saturday to benefit Spooner House

Participants pose at last year's walk./ Submitted photo  

DERBY - Spooner House is accepting registrations for walkers, runners, and helping hands to be part of the 20th Annual Walk for the Hungry and Homeless at the Derby Greenway Saturday,starting at 9 a.m. (rain or shine). 

Registration is at the fountain on Division Street beginning at 8:30 a.m. with a 9 a.m. kick off. 
Participants can register online to form a team, join an existing team or register as an individual and are asked to make donations in any amount suitable, ask others to sponsor you for additional funds and seek matching donations from employers. 
However, a minimum donation of $20 will be required for each participant to receive the commemorative walk T-shirt*. All proceeds benefit the Spooner House. 

Joe Neumann & the Big Beat band will be performing at the Walk.

From 4 to 7 p.m. today (Friday), walkers will have the opportunity to pick up their walk T-shirt* and drop off their pledge form in advance during a special Community Open House at Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, Shelton. Every participant will receive an entry into a drawing for an assortment of gift cards and there are prizes available for the team raising the most money, the individual raising the most money and the team with the most participants.

For walk registration and sponsorship forms or more information call 203-225-0453 ext.102 or

e-mail Kate Pipa at kpipa@actspooner.org. 
The website actspooner.org has a link to the walk registration page and all forms as well.

The entire walk route is 3.4 miles along the Naugatuck River, but participants may travel any distance they choose and water will be provided at the halfway point along the 1.7-mile Greenway. 

The Derby Greenway provides a safe, vehicle-free, boardwalk style route with great scenery along the Naugatuck River. Strollers are welcome and participants may begin the route whenever they arrive. Please use the Division Street entrance and meet at the Derby Greenway fountain. Parking is available at BJ's.

The annual EcoFest will be held the day of the walk, on the other end of the Greenway on Caroline Street.

This year, sponsors including the following companies, have stepped forward to support the annual Walk for the Hungry and Homeless. 
The Gold Sponsors are: Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte, and Sterczala, P.C.; Vibrant Health; Newtown Savings Bank; Valley Community Foundation and AD-MERICA. 
The Silver Sponsors are: Tuttle Insurance Group; Calvert Safe & Lock, Gary's East Coast Service, ElectriCable Associates and Pepe Reality.
This year’s Bronze Sponsors include: St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Oxford; R.D. Scinto, Inc.; O.E.M. Controls, Inc.; Stelray Plastic Products, Inc.; New Haven Terminal; Venman + Co. LLC; DataTel, LLC; Aquarion Water Co.; Peralta Design, and SoVita Chiropractic.

Drawing prize sponsors are: Royal Bakery, Shelton Adams Hometown Market, Legend’s Pizzeria, Vazzy’s Italian Cucina, Giove’s, Young Nails, Sassafras Restaurant, Amici’s Restaurant, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Shelton Car Care.

Pre-registration is not required, but encouraged so participants won't have to get up as early on Saturday  and still be guaranteed a walk T-shirt.



This is a press release from Spooner House.

Heav'nly Donuts in Derby to host annual food drive for Spooner House

DERBY - Heav’nly Donuts will host the popular Dust-Off Car Cruise and collection of non-perishable food items to benefit Spooner House and Valley Food Bank from noon-5 p.m. April 9. 

Spooner House at 30 Todd Road, Shelton has the mission of providing food, shelter and support services to people in need. 
The goal is to over-fill a classic 1948 Crosley station wagon with donated canned goods and other food items.

The Dust-Off Cruise will take place at Heav'nly Donuts, 653 New Haven Ave. and this year is the 31st annual car cruise. The goal is to collect 4,500 total donated food items. Last year the event filled the Crosley wagon with at least 4,161 food items. This event also provides the perfect reason to bring out your classic car in preparation for the cruising season.

Heav’nly Donuts normally runs the classic cruises every Sunday afternoon from Mothers’ Day until late October. 
The April Dust-Off Car Cruise kicks off a tradition started five years ago by the Derby Heav'nly Donuts. Cruisers and spectators who come to see all the great cars and motorcycles and who also bring canned goods and non-perishable food items, will be helping some of this years hardest hit people.

"It is very expensive to live in Connecticut, and meeting general living expenses is more difficult for families with low or very little income. Our mission is to help non-profit organizations such as Spooner House and the Valley Food Bank," said Ernie Badas, owner of Heav'nly Donuts. 

"All charities and non-profits have lost substantial portions of their operating budget due to the state cuts, which are making it even harder than last year for Spooner House to provide food, shelter, and other support services for people who need assistance in the lower Naugatuck Valley."

In case of inclement weather, the rain date will be April 16, which is Easter. 

For information call 203-734-4185.

Non-profit Area Congregations Together, Inc.  was formed in 1979 to help fill gaps in the lower Naugatuck Valley's social service network. 
Today, Spooner House is operated by ACT and is a facility that provides food, shelter and support services to approximately 175 men, women and children each year. More than 4,000 individuals have been served by the Food

Bank this past year, comprising more than 120,000 meals. 


This is a press release from Spooner House.

20th annual walk May 20 to benefit Spooner House in Shelton

Contributed photo

Interested in joining the Walk planning committee or in getting involved?
Call or email Kate at (203) 225-0453 x 102 or kpipa@actspooner.org.

Information on how to form a team or sponsor the event coming soon!

Spooner House at 30 Todd Road, Shelton, is operated by Area Congregations Together, Inc. with the mission of providing food, shelter, and support services to people in need.



This is a press release from Area Congregations Together.

19th annual walk in Derby raises $15,500 for Spooner House

Walk participants at the Derby Greenway entrance./Contributed photo

DERBY - Spooner House appreciates all the walkers, runners, volunteers and sponsors who came to the Derby Greenway May 21 to participate in the 19th annual Walk for the Hungry and Homeless. 
A total of $15,500 was raised from generous sponsors and more than 100 walk registrants.

Many teams participated including Paul Revere DeMolay Chapter, Oxford Greens, Emmett O’Brien National Honor Society, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Young Emerging Professionals, Curves of Trumbull, Shelton High National Honors Society, Book Club Walk for a Cause, Electri-Cable Assemblies and Spooner House food bank volunteers.

"The Spooner House food bank and shelter are here for those in need in the lower Naugatuck Valley," said Executive Director Susan Agamy. 
"It’s so good to know that the people and businesses in the Valley are truly there to help us support those in need."

This year generous sponsors stepped forward in support of the annual Walk for the Hungry and Homeless. 
They include as Gold Sponsors: Unilever, Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte, and Sterczala PC, AD-MERICA, Precision Aerospace, Inc., New Haven Terminal, and The Valley Community Foundation. 
The Silver Sponsors are: Gary's East Coast Service, Calvert Safe + Lock, Pepe Reality, Tuttle Insurance Group, Apple Health Care, BIC Corp., and PerkinElmer.
This years Bronze Sponsors include: O.E.M. Controls, Inc., DataTel, LLC, Newtown Savings Bank, R.D. Scinto, Inc., Friedberg Smith & Co., P.C., St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Oxford, Teamsters Local 1150, and Iroquois Gas Transmission System.

Non-profit Area Congregations Together, Inc. was formed in 1979 to help fill gaps in the Naugatuck Valley’s social service network. Today, Spooner House is operated by ACT and is a facility that provides food, shelter and support services to approximately 150 men, women and children each year. More than 6,000 individuals have been served by the Food Bank this past year, comprising more than 100,000 meals. 
Spooner House is recognized as one of the most comprehensive emergency shelter programs in Connecticut and through its food bank provides a week’s supply of groceries each month to participating families throughout the Naugatuck Valley. Spooner House is devoted to helping people establish self-sufficiency in an atmosphere of respect and dignity. 

This is a press release from Area Congregations Together, Inc., a partner agency of the Valley United Way.

'Valley Has a Heart' food drives slated in Ansonia, Derby, Shelton

The 14th Annual Valley Has a Heart Spooner House food collection will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 9 at two Stop and Shop stores in Ansonia and Shelton, along with the two Adams Hometown Markets in Derby and Shelton. 

The goal is to gather enough non-perishable food to last for at least two months and $5,000 in cash to use for restocking the shelves as needed following the winter months when giving generally decreases. 

The food collection last year netted $4,550 and 2,763 food items. 
The Spooner House website linked above and the list is below indicating the most needed food items this year.

Spooner House is happy to again have Stop and Shop and Adams Hometown Markets acting as the overall marquee sponsors for the Valley Has a Heart drives. 
Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte, and Sterczala, P.C. has agreed to be the site sponsor for both the Stop and Shop drives in Shelton and Ansonia. 
Also for the fifth year, Daniel Jacobs, LLC a.k.a. Hairy Dog Garage, will lead the Derby Adams Market drive. A lead sponsor is pending for the Shelton Adams Hometown Market site.

The Stop and Shop stores where donations can be made are at 100 Division St., Ansonia and 898 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton. 
The Adams Hometown Markets are at 656 New Haven Ave., Rt. 34 Plaza, in Derby and 200 Leavenworth Road, Shelton.

There will be a friendly competition between the two Stop and Shop stores and the Adams Hometown Markets to see who can raise the most dollars and collect more non-perishable food. Shoppers at all locations will receive a Spooner House “Wish List” when they walk in the door with encouragement to donate on their way out. Last year, the Shelton Stop and Shop raised the most money, followed by the Ansonia store and capped off by the Derby Adams Hometown Market.

"Our shelves are almost empty this time of year since most of the donations received around the holidays have been depleted, yet our need remains consistent year round," said Susan Agamy, Executive Director of Spooner House.
"The Valley Has a Heart Food Drive is a great event to help refill our shelves after the winter, looking ahead to meet our clients' needs during the springtime and into the summer months.

"In the summer we tend to see an increase in need because children who receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch in school no longer receive this food assistance while on break, causing parents to rely on food banks such as ours," Agamy added.

Volunteer groups assisting at the various markets during the food drives include the following, with each group also being assisted by Spooner House volunteers and staff:

Ansonia Stop and Shop:

Seymour Starbucks employees

Derby Adams Hometown Market:

Shelton High School Junior State of America student group

Shelton Stop and Shop:

Shelton Youth Service Bureau's Youth to Youth group

Shelton Adams Hometown Market:

Shelton High School National Honor Society

The Spooner House Food Bank wish list includes:

Canned/Powdered Milk

Juices

Soups/Stews/Canned Chili

Tuna

Canned Chicken/Meats/Spam

Peanut Butter & Jelly

Rice

Pasta

Beans (Baked and Dry)

Canned/Instant Potatoes

Stuffing

Canned Fruits

Cold Cereal/Oatmeal

Sauce/Gravy

Tuna Helper/Hamburger Helper

Those unable to visit one of the Stop and Shop stores or Adams Hometown Markets on April 9 are encouraged to still make a donation. 

Please make checks payable and mail to: Area Congregations Together, Inc., Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, Shelton, CT, 06484.  Donations may also be made via PayPal by clicking on the Donate button at www.actspooner.org. 

Deliveries of non-perishable food items are welcome at Spooner House from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

If none of these times is convenient, you may set up a special time for food delivery by calling 203-225-0453 ext. 102 or e-mailing Kate Pipa at kpipa@actspooner.org.

Non-profit Area Congregations Together, Inc. was formed in 1979 to help fill gaps in the Naugatuck Valley’s social service network. 
Today, Spooner House is operated by ACT and is a facility that provides food, shelter and support services to approximately 150 men, women and children each year.  
More than 6,000 individuals have been served by the Food Bank this past year, comprising more than 100,000 meals. 

Spooner House is recognized as one of the most comprehensive emergency shelter programs in Connecticut and through its food bank provides a week’s supply of groceries each month to participating families throughout the 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 Spooner House. 

Spooner House in Shelton expresses gratitude for generous donations

SHELTON - Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, provided 649 holiday meals during November and December, according to a release from the organization operated by Area Congregations Together, Inc. The release continues below: During the months of November and December, Spooner House was able to provide 649 households in the lower Naugatuck Valley with a holiday meal, which included a frozen turkey and all the fixings.  We couldn't have done it without the support of the community, through food drives and complete meal basket donations.  Thank you so much to the wonderful organizations listed below and the countless individuals who pitched in this holiday season to help us be able to serve our neighbors in need.   Zion Lutheran Church | St. Joseph High School Junior Varsity Cheerleaders | Lexicon Relocation | THULE | Pitney Bowes | Shelton AARP | Mead Elementary School | St. Rose of Lima Parish Social Concerns Committee | Taylor Made Fitness | Dental Associates of Connecticut | BlumShapiro | Bungay Elementary School | Chatfield-LoPresti Elementary School | Seymour  Middle School | Five Star Products | Circle of the Sacred Well | Tutor Time Shelton | Precision Resource | Turner Construction | Stelray Plastic Products | NovaMed Corp. | First Church of Christ Woodbridge | Creative Minds Academy | St. Joseph Church Shelton | Sila Solutions Group | Solium Transcentive | William Raveis | Unilever | St. Mary - St. Michael School | St. Joseph School | Frontier Communications | UnitedHealthcare | Aquarion | CCL Label | Precision Aerospace Inc. | Derby Middle School | Sylvan Dance Studio | Hubbell Inc. | CDW | HealthPlanOne | Johnson Electric | Webster Bank | Remedy Partners | Aquinas Consulting | BTX Global Logistics | Children's Studio for the Performing Arts | Clancy Relocation & Logistics | St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church Ladies' Society | Shady Knoll Health Center | Panthean Temple | Physician One Urgent Care Derby | PerkinElmer | Girl Scout Troop #60058 | St. Thomas the Apostle Church | Sai Systems International | Oxford Parks and Recreation | Shelton KinderCare | Orchid Orthopedic Design | TD Bank Shelton | Inline Plastics | The Redwing Pond House Preschool | Child's Garden Daycare | Serra and DelVecchio Insurance Group | Anglican Church of the Resurrection | Seymour United Methodist Church | Pumpkin Patch Daycare | Knights of Columbus Newtown | St. Vincent's College 2nd Year Radiography Students | Derby, Milford, and Shelton Adams | Smile Dental Center | Rehabilitation Associates | People's United Bank Drive Up Shelton | Jones Family Farms | St. Mary's Derby Knights of Columbus | L2 Innovate Computers & Technology | ANN INC | Sikorsky Finance Department | Advanced Radiology | Mutual Security Credit Union | Girl Scout Troop #60394 | Huntington Congregational Church | Foundation for Life (MetLife) | American Legion Auxiliary Unit 16 Shelton | Girl Scout Troop #60459 | Girl Scout Troop #64164 | J. Videira's Paving | Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton | Happy Day Preschool | Christ Church Preschool | Wells Fargo Shelton | All-Star Transportation | Shelton High Youth2Youth | Ansonia and Shelton Stop & Shop | St. Vincent's House of Hope Once again, thank you so much for your support in helping us provide our neighbors in need with a holiday meal as well as support from all the volunteers who helped assemble and distribute the meal baskets.  We couldn't have done it without you! (We apologize if we have accidentally omitted anybody from the list.)

And a big thank you to our monthly meal groups!

At Spooner House, we have 22 groups who provide an evening meal for our residents on the same day each and every month.  We want to extend a big thank you to all of our groups for their time, effort, and generosity given each month! Holy Rosary Ansonia | Church of the Good Shepherd Seymour | Christ Episcopal Stratford | Oxford Greens | St. Augustine's Seymour | Huntington Congregational Church | St. Jude's Church Derby | Huntington United Methodist Church | First United Methodist Church | Great Hill United Methodist Church | Trinity Lutheran Church | Seymour Evangelical Baptist Church | Il Palio | Congregation Or Shalom | Seymour Congregational Church | Oxford Congregational Church | Seymour Methodist Church | St. Thomas the Apostle Oxford | St. Mary's Church Derby | Immanuel Lutheran Church Oxford | Assumption Church

Spooner House in Shelton marking Hunger Action Month

Spooner House is operated by Area Congregations Together at 30 Todd Road, Shelton.

Board members participate this week in Spoontember. (Photo shared from Spooner House Facebook page.)