Valley United Way shares local food support locations

 

Valley United Way to create virtual Harvest House Oct. 24-25

 

Valley United Way's Harvest House goes virtual to assist local food pantries

SHELTON - Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring, food security issues have been on the rise and local pantries have been struggling to keep up with the increased need they have seen from the community. 

Typically, in the fall, pantries are already low on inventory because of the lapse in summer food drives, and the lull of giving that occurs before the holidays.  

For years, Valley United Way ran the annual Harvest House food drive to bolster the low inventory of food pantries during the fall months and helped to tide them over so families in Lower Naugatuck Valley are cared for. 

Due to increased demand brought on by the economic troubles of the Coronavirus, the scarcity in pantries has been felt more acutely this fall. 

"St Vincent de Paul has sustained a nearly 40 percent increase in the number of families/households needing help with food,”  Remy Kocurek, Director of St. Vincent De Paul of the Valley Thrift Shoppe and Food Bank said, “and this trend shows no sign of receding."

As large gatherings are not encouraged, to help the community stave off COVID-19, Harvest House (a food drive that local businesses, schools, and individuals participate in during the month of September), was not able to be held in its normal location under the pavilion in Veteran’s Park, Shelton. 

In order to continue supporting the five pantries, Valley United Way has decided to continue the food drive by making it virtual.  

“The experience will be different,” Interim President and COO David Kennedy said. “Having a virtual-build won’t be nearly as touching nor as personally powerful as other years - but the food raised will perhaps mean more this year than any other year.” 

By using an online Virtual Food Drive platform, funded by Prudential, Valley United Way is able to raise funds for the pantries by accepting gifts as small as $1 to as large as $1,000.  

The drive allows the consumer to select sample items and see how their gift can be used at a pantry, but also is reminiscent of a shopping experience an individual would have if they were making an order through a grocery store.  Through this system, Valley United Way hopes to raise $10,000 to offset the needs in the local pantries.

A soft open was done during the month of September of the Virtual Harvest House, but as October continues, Valley United Way will continue promoting this effort with local businesses and through social media.  

The virtual event officially ends Oct. 31. All funds raised during Harvest House 2020 will go directly to the five area food pantries: Salvation Army Greater Valley in Ansonia; Kathleen Samela Food Pantry at Christ Church in Ansonia; Seymour-Oxford Food Bank in Seymour; Spooner House in Shelton; and St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Shoppe and Food Bank in Derby. 

To find out more about virtual Harvest House 2020, or to donate, visit: https://valleyunitedway.org/harvest-house/

This is a press release from Valley United Way.

Today's newsletter features Harvest House, memorial to Derby mom, more

Our Valley Voice newsletter today features the Valley United Way's virtual construction of Harvest House, a loving memorial to slain Derby mother, and Saturday's back to school fill-a-bag in Ansonia.

Here's the link:

https://3d62a228-eb5f-443c-a1ec-b9ff5c58ad34.filesusr.com/ugd/329bf6_2c8238d162d24355994d988dc20eb387.pdf

Valley United Way ready to build Harvest House at Shelton Riverwalk

Valley United Way photo

SHELTON - Valley United Way staff and volunteers will build Harvest House next week at the Shelton Riverwalk.
The build is a collaborative, annual effort to construct a 400-square foot house and fill it with more than 100,000 items of food and non-perishables. The food is later distributed to Valley food banks and agencies for people in need.
The House is built in the Derby-Shelton Rotary Pavilion at the Riverwalk, 100 Canal St.

Sign up yourself and/or your group to volunteer for Harvest House Sept. 26, and/or start a food drive for the build.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. and when the bell rings at 8:30 a.m. the build will begin!
It will take approximately two hours depending on the number of volunteers.

For more information please contact patricia.tarasovic@valleyunitedway.org.

Shared from a Valley United Way Facebook page.

Volunteers to build Harvest House VIII at Shelton Riverwalk

SHELTON - Harvest House will be built Sept. 20 at the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club pavilion at the Riverwalk.  
Join the Valley United Way's Corporate Volunteer Council to build a 400-square-foot house. 
Learn more at www.valleyunitedway.org.    
If you cannot make it but would like to purchase a can of non-perishable food to place on the house you can do that at www.valleyunitedway.org.

Harvest House is a collaborative effort to construct a 400-square foot house and fill it with more than 100,000 items of food and non-perishables. 
The donated items are distributed to Valley-based food banks and agencies for people in need.

This information is shared from the Valley United Way website and Facebook page.

YEP event at River Rock Tavern in Derby to support Harvest House

Valley United Way kicks off annual campaign; sets $1.1 M goal

SHELTON - Valley United Way celebrated 50 years of service Sept. 21 at Veterans Park with its annual Campaign Kickoff to honor its dedication to building a stronger community.

This followed Valley United Way’s seventh Harvest House where more than 200 volunteers, led by Valley United Way's Corporate Volunteer Council, helped companies deliver more than 50,000 items of food. 

The food was received the next day by the five food pantries that serve the Valley.

After Harvest House, Valley United Way kicked off its campaign year. The event included a performance by Center Stage, live music, food trucks, and an inspiring speech from U.S. Rep.  Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, who spoke about the significant work of Valley United Way and the importance of working together to address food insecurity. 

The event would not have been possible without its sponsors: BIC Corp., Edgewell Personal Care, Newtown Savings Bank, and Pitney Bowes.

Valley United Way has set a goal to raise $1.1 million by June 30 by working together with local business owners, corporations, employees and residents to raise, invest and leverage funds.  United Way fights for every person in every community and we can't do it without the community's support.

Leading this year's efforts is Valley United Way's Campaign Chair Jimmy Tickey. Hee has a strong sense of service to his community and has been involved with the Valley United Way since he was in the Valley United Way Youth Leadership Program. 

During Tickey’s Call to Action at the Campaign Kickoff he said, "Last year we had a lofty goal and, together, we not only met our goal but surpassed it. This year we set an even higher goal and with all of your help, I know we can meet our goals and positively impact the lives of our most vulnerable populations here in the Valley.” 

If you, your business or company is interested in Working for a Stronger Community alongside Valley United Way, call Daniel Pearson, Resource Development Manager, 203-926-9478 or email daniel.pearson@valleyunitedway.org. 

This is a press release from Valley United Way.

Help build Harvest House VII at Shelton Veterans Park

Give Food, Give Life

Harvest House is a collaborative, bi-annual effort to construct a 400-square foot house and fill it with more than 100,000 items of food and non-perishables, which are later distributed to Valley-based food banks and agencies for people in need.

Info shared from Valley United Way.

Newsletter: Harvest House VII plan, Ansonia sports signups

Dear readers,

Our latest Valley Voice newsletter features a slight "bump in the road" during my kidney transplant recuperation, information about the upcoming Harvest House VII in Shelton, and more.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

~ Patti

Valley United Way to mark 50th anniversary, Harvest House VII in Shelton

Harvest House VI in Shelton helps nonprofits feed Valley needy

SHELTON - The Valley United Way's Harvest House VI provided more than 100,000 food items to area pantries.

Read all about it by clicking here for my story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Harvest House VI was built inside the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club pavilion over the weekend and deconstructed Monday morning.

Volunteers for nonprofits start the deconstruction process.

The Rev. Jim Tudesco of First Congregational Church in Derby was on hand volunteering for the Kathleen B. Samela Memorial Food Bank in Ansonia.

The shelves were emptied quickly.

Harvest House VI in Shelton helps fill Valley food pantries

A variety of donated non-perishable food fills the shelves of Harvest House VI at the Shelton Riverwalk. 
Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Food donations sought at Shelton Riverwalk today

Shelton Market to host harvest festival, collect food donations

SHELTON - The Shelton Farmers Market Association invites the community to join a “September Harvest Festival” from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Shelton Farmers Market building, 100 Canal St.

This market will feature seasonal specialties to welcome in the fall season while also helping fight hunger in the community.

September is Hunger Action Month and the farmers market will be collecting non-perishable and perishable food donations at the market for local food banks the day of the Festival and at both the Saturday and Wednesday markets until Sept. 26. 

The Farmers Market Band, made up of Joe Ballaro, Fred Monahan, and friends will be playing live music. 

There will be face painting, musical instruments, a coloring activity, and other children’s activities. 

The day will feature antique tractors in a “Touch A Tractor” display, sponsored by Laurel Glen Farm and Rudy Hudak of Shelton’s Dairy.

Vendors will have specialty items to offer. Seasonal Sweets and Catering will have bacon or sausage, local egg, and cheese breakfast sandwiches with sausage sourced from Stone Gardens Farm in Shelton. 

There will also be apple fritters, corn fritters, and hot mulled cider. The September Harvest Festival will offer the community an opportunity to see what our local farmers put so much care into producing and to celebrate the bounty of the season. All of the produce sold at the market is grown within six miles of the farmers market building.

Vendors of the day include East Village Farm, Grassy Hill Farm, Laurel Glen Farm, Liquid Lunch, Oronoque Farms Bakery, Seasonal Sweets and Catering, Stone Gardens Cut Flowers, Stone Gardens Farm, The Little Dog Laughed, These Things Take Thyme, and Waterview Farm.

Shelton Farmers Market vendor Jim Calkins of Seasonal Sweets and Catering, said, “September is Hunger Action Month. Together we can help alleviate hunger in our local community. Bring a non-perishable donation to the market or donate fresh produce. This is a great way to support the community and to support your local farmers.”

This September Harvest Festival coincides with the Valley United Way’s Harvest House being held at the Shelton Riverwalk throughout the weekend of the Sept. 26. With help from volunteers, the walls of Harvest House will be constructed from non-perishable food items, which after construction will be distributed to Valley food banks.

The Shelton Farmers Market takes place at the Farmers Market Building, 100 Canal St., every Wednesday from 3-6:30 p.m. and every Saturday from 9a.m.-1 p.m., until Nov. 25. 

In addition to accepting cash and credit cards, the market also accepts SNAP and WIC benefits. Community members are encouraged to join the Shelton Farmers Market Association for an annual membership fee of $20 to show support for the producer-only market. 

Interested individuals can sign up at the market or email sheltonctfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheltonFarmMkt

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SheltonFarmMkt  

Email Address: SheltonCTFarmersMarket@gmail.com

This is a press release from the Shelton Farmers Market Association.

Valley United Way to host Harvest House VI in Shelton

This is a wonderful event that provides so much for Valley residents in need.