The objective of the Soup Kitchen is to offer a "light" breakfast and a hot, nutritious lunch, six days a week, at no charge to its guests. Our "Food Policy" tries to assure that a hot breakfast is available several mornings a week, especially during the cold weather. At lunch, a variety of foods are offered so guests may make appropriate choices according to individual dietary and health needs. When everyone has been served, guests may get "take out" containers of food to take with them. Bread and produce are also available most days for taking. During the last fiscal year, the Soup Kitchen was open 297 days for lunch. A total of 23,385 meals were served, not counting seconds and "take outs" for a daily average of 92 individuals. The facility was open 299 days for breakfast, providing 14,057 meals, for a daily average of 51 people. In November of 2001 the Soup Kitchen began serving meals on Friday evenings from 5 to 7pm. On Sundays, when the Soup Kitchen is not open, bag lunches are distributed at the Willimantic Co-op. While kitchen staff plan the lunch and provide the food, parishioners from Saint Paul's Church and other community volunteers prepare and pass out the lunches. The Food Pantry responds to requests for emergency groceries on a once per month, per family basis. The pantry is open two hours per day, five days per week. In order to receive food, guests must first obtain an "Emergency Food Card" by registering at the Access Agency. This card then allows them to receive food assistance from other agencies in town. In August of 1998 the Food Pantry changed to a "Client Choice" format. Each person utilizing the service can choose the foods they prefer from shelves that are organized according to the Federal Government's Food Pyramid. Since this new format was introduced, we have seen a steady increase in the number of individuals using the pantry. Our numbers increased 10% last year, and we have seen an additional increase some months this year as high as 30%, for a total of 38,916 meals provided through the pantry. (Number of meals is calculated by the the number of people per family times nine: three meals for three days). Meals: Breakfast: Monday Through Saturday, 9:15am; Lunch: Monday Through Saturday, 12:15pm To 1:00pm; Sunday Bag Lunch, 11:30am to 12:00pm; Dinner: Friday Evening Only, 5:30pm to 6:00pm; Emergency Food Pantry: Monday Through Friday 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (860) 423-1643 to book your appointment.
Address :
220 Valley St,
Willimantic, CT 06226.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Willimantic
Help Residents of Counties:
- Windham
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (860) 423-1643 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
Food Pantry in Near By County
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.