Person To Person Unveils New Mobile Food Pantry In Stamford
STAMFORD, CT — In order to meet a growing need and address food insecurity in the community, Person to Person (P2P), the Darien-based nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting individuals and families in lower Fairfield County, announced on Monday the launch of its second mobile food pantry.
P2P and elected officials gathered at the Stamford Government Center Monday morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and to discuss the new mobile food pantry, which was established thanks to a $240,000 grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation.
The pantry features a full complement of food for healthy meals, such as fresh produce, milk, meat, eggs and staples like cereal, rice, beans, tuna fish, peanut butter and jelly, and more.
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The food items are secured through donations from the community and food drives, community partners, wholesalers, Connecticut Foodshare, and Food Rescue US, which gathers items from grocery stores and other businesses.
“This mobile food pantry is going to get more food out into the community, we’re going to reach more people, we’re going to be in more neighborhoods, we’re going to have flexible schedules, we are going to be out in the evenings, on Saturdays, on the weekends,” said P2P Executive Director Nancy Coughlin in brief remarks in the government center lobby. “We’re not just going to benefit the many people in Stamford who are still in need of food security, but this is going to benefit the whole community.”
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In addition to providing food, the pantry will also provide residents in need with access to other vital support services such as housing, financial assistance, job training, and camperships.
“We know that when we create access to supportive services for the community and people are free from poverty, hunger and homelessness, they are able to reach their full potential,” Coughlin added.
Coughlin thanked former P2P Board Chair Mike Riccardi, who helped raise funds for the new mobile pantry.
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz was in attendance for Monday’s announcement and spoke about the perception of Connecticut and the importance of P2P.
“People think that Connecticut is this very wealthy state, but we also have great poverty. To me, one of the worst sets of statistics is one in eight adults in our state are food insecure, and one in six of our children are food insecure,” she said, noting that in Stamford, 12 percent of Stamford residents are food insecure. “What is wonderful about what P2P is doing is that you are providing access to food for the people who need it, where they need it, when they need it.”
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State Sen. Ceci Maher (D-26), the former executive director of P2P who helped launch the organization’s first mobile food pantry in 2017, said that in 2005, the nonprofit was distributing food to clients for about 279,000 meals. This year, P2P has distributed enough food for 2.5 million meals.
Other elected officials in attendance were Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons, state Rep. Tracy Marra (R-141), and state Rep. Corey Paris (D-145).
Paris, who also serves as the chief impact officer for P2P, said he was once food insecure while attending college in Connecticut.
“The folks who are sitting next to you right now, standing next to you, our neighbors, our friends, are suffering in silence. I was one of those people, as a matter of fact,” he said. “This mobile food pantry is not just the launch of something bigger for the organization, it’s not just something that continues to help families in need, but this is what’s going to change the course of history for Connecticut residents, not just in Fairfield county, but all across the state.”
Marra said P2P will continue to inspire people, especially the area’s youngest residents. Simmons thanked the organization for their work.
“What you provide is a lifeline for families in need. We are deeply grateful for the work you do,” Simmons added.
Tamara Francis, a Stamford resident and single mother of two daughters spoke about her experience with P2P and how the mobile food pantry has been a lifeline for her family. Francis said she found the mobile food pantry one day and decided to stop by a few years ago.
“When I approached that food truck, there was barely anything left in my fridge and I didn’t know how I was going to feed my daughters even that night. However, I left the mobile food pantry with three bags of groceries that lasted us for weeks,” Francis said. “Person to Person has been a lifeline for my family and me. The introduction of this new food pantry brings even more relief to single mothers like myself, especially in a time when food prices are just rising and rising. With the support of P2P, there’s no reason any family should go hungry.”
Existing clients of P2P can call 203-724-9111 to schedule an appointment to pick up items at a mobile food pantry. New clients should call 203-724-9111 to register and schedule an appointment.
The schedule for the new mobile food pantry will be posted online, according to Coughlin.
For more information, click here.
P2P serves 28,000 residents in Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton.
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