United Way offers Mobile Pantry distribution June 8 in Groton

The Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center (Food Center) will host a Drive-Thru Mobile Pantry in Groton on Tuesday, June 8 from 4-5:30 p.m., at Robert E. Fitch Senior High School, 101 Groton Long Point Road. The site is accessible for drive-thru or walk-up visitors. The goal is to serve 300 families facing hunger in our community.

Anyone in need of food is welcome to attend and no paperwork is necessary. Guests are asked to remain in their car and open their trunk where volunteers can place the food. Everyone must wear a mask and practice all COVID-19 safety protocols.

This Mobile Pantry distribution is being sponsored by the MDA-UAW Local 571. Members of the MDA will also be volunteering at the site during distribution.

“We’re grateful to our partners like the MDA-UAW Local 571 who step up to help local families in need through their sponsorship of one of United Way’s Mobile Pantry deployments,” said Dina Sears-Graves, President and CEO of United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. “Our work wouldn’t be possible without people, groups, businesses, and agencies banding together like this to move the needle on critical community conditions to reach those who need assistance.”

“We’re excited to partner with United Way and sponsor a mobile food pantry distribution to help feed local families,” said Bill Louis, president of the MDA-UAW Local 571 and Chair of United Way’s Board of Directors. “By working together to fight hunger, we can help so many more of our neighbors.”

The Food Center has provided more than 2.9 million pounds of food over the past year through the emergency food network of programs in New London County, the equivalent of more than 2.3 million meals. Those programs serve 17,444 people each month. The Food Center also conducts Mobile Pantry Pop-up distributions across the county.