Safe Net Ministry - Food Cupboard of Stafford Springs, Connecticut

In January 2010 our ministry opened the Safe Net Food Cupboard at 68 Main Street in Stafford Springs, CT. The Food Cupboard was relocated to 86 Main Street February 2011. This Food Cupboard serves Stafford and Union residents and any member of their congregations. In 2011 Safe Net distributed 101,000 pounds of food to 283 families that represents 767 people, of which 265 our children. This is 75,160 meals. Over the past 2 years we have distributed a total of 190,979 pounds of food, for a total 144,160 meals. Our volunteers logged an astounding 3,990 hours. An average distribution takes a 173 volunteer hours to perform. For the second year the food cupboard team also distributed about 65 backpacks to children with school supplies appropriate to their grade levels. This not only helps the children, it also assists the teachers, many of whom purchase school supplies with their own money. The team also started a new program for children during August called “Breakfast and Beyond.” Children were able to pick up a bag of food for breakfast and snacks for later in the day. We distributed 444lbs. of food. This filled a void after the town recreational programs ended. We also distributed 130 turkeys this Thanksgiving along with a $20 gift card to The Stafford Food Center for the fixings. The Gift Cards were donated by Stafford Family Services, for which we are all very grateful. Increased community support was exhibited by the 20,560lbs. of food collected by local food drives: Feinstein challenge 3,415lbs.; Postal Food Drive 3,715lbs; TTM 1,600lbs. and the 11,560lbs donated by private collections. In 2011 it cost $31,766 to operate this cupboard. Safe Net is a Foodshare partner which enables us to obtain food at an average cost of 17 cents a pound. According to Foodshare the Safe Net Ministries Food Cupboard is one of the top performing cupboards in their network. This is a remarkable advantage to Safe Net in meeting our goal of eliminating hunger in our town. There is no reason someone should be hungry in Stafford or Union! Qualification for food stamps (or as it is now called SNAP) is 185% of poverty; however Safe Net is able to distribute to families at 235% of poverty. This enables us to assist those who fall just short of the mark, along with those on SNAP and other state and federal programs. We do this at no cost to the people we serve. Safe Net’s primary mission is to assist those whose income is just a little over the cut off for services. All we require is that prospective recipients come to the Food Cupboard with a picture ID and fill out a self-declaration of income form.

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) 851-9987 to book your appointment.

Address :

86 Main St,
Stafford Springs, CT 06076.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Stafford Springs

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Tolland

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) 851-9987 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.