September is Hunger Action Month, and United Way of Southeastern Connecticut is celebrating the occasion by announcing a new distribution schedule for its mobile food pantry. United Way operates the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center which supports the local emergency food system of New London County.
The food insecurity rate in the county is nearly 15% overall. Last year, the Food Center distributed the equivalent of 2.9 million meals to local families facing hunger. During Hunger Action month, United Way is encouraging people to give, volunteer, run a food drive, and help raise awareness of hunger-related issues.
For those in need of food, this is the distribution schedule for the month of September:
- Wednesday, September 8 – 5-6 p.m. at Stonington High School, 176 South Broad Street, Pawcatuck
- Wednesday, September 15 – 4-5:30 p.m. at Wequonnock Elementary School, 155 Providence Street, Taftville
- Thursday, September 23 – 4-5:30 p.m. at Griswold Senior Center, 22 Soule Street, Griswold
- Friday, September 24 – 12:30-2:30 p.m. at St. John’s Christian Church, 346 Shennecossett Road, Groton (This distribution is sponsored by Groton Utilities.)
- Wednesday, September 29 – 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Jennings Elementary School, 50 Mercer Street, New London
This information can also be found at www.uwsect.org/calendar. All of the distributions are a drive-through set-up. No paperwork is required. Guests should wear masks and not exit their vehicle upon arrival. Volunteers will place food boxes in guests’ trunk or truck bed.
ABOUT UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT
United Way of Southeastern Connecticut is a locally-based non-profit organization supporting a network of health and human services, programs, and initiatives in New London County that work together to help people in need and improve community conditions. Supported programs include early care and education, child development, employment training, physical and mental health care, crisis intervention, shelter, emergency/disaster preparation, and response and recovery service.
United Way operates the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Center which provides food and household items to more than 90 free emergency food programs. United Way supports 2-1-1 Connecticut for free information and referral 24/7 and Project Warm-up for one-time, emergency heating assistance. United Way also administers the New London County Fund to End Homelessness, New Capacities to increase the number of financially stable households, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), the Eastern Connecticut Health Collaborative (ECHC), and FamilyWize RX Discount Cards.
