The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield Country struggles to provide during coronavirus outbreak
- By Tatiana Flowers
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- 10 Mar, 2020
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A major food bank serving more than 90 agencies in lower Fairfield County, is struggling to keep up with the demand as clients stockpile food items out of fear of the coronavirus outbreak.
Leaders at the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield Country are “desperately” trying to reach the public, to solicit food and monetary donations for the organization, which is experiencing a shortage of supplies, said Kate Lombardo, the executive director.
As the number of people infected with the virus continues to climb, human services agencies from Greenwich to Wilton are looking to the Food Bank to fill the widening void. Unfounded fears of a local potential lockdown has some partner agencies “doubling up” on the amount of food they’re distributing to clients and as a result, the Food Bank, which supplies to the partner agencies, is feeling the brunt in full force.
“The agencies know they have to prepare like the rest of the public,” Lombardo said. “They recognize their clients don’t have it, so they’re doubling up the amount of food they’re giving them, so that if the issue becomes that they have to stay in the house for 14 days as a precaution because of this virus, they will have the (resources) to do it.”
Currently, the Food Bank has about half the amount of food it would normally have at this time of year and workers are starting to dig into supplies that wouldn’t normally be touched until August or September, Lombardo said.
She and other human services leaders are asking the public to donate money or non-perishable food items, such as canned milk, soup, rice, pasta, cereal and tuna, and other emergency items like shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toilet paper and deodorant. The organization will also accept diapers and other baby items.
Lombardo said monetary donations would help her and other social services leaders purchase items, in bulk, at a cheaper cost. Normally, Lombardo would also ask local people to host food drives, but large gatherings aren’t conducive to containing the virus, she said.
“Holding food drives means coming together and everybody is being told not to congregate in large crowds,” she said. “So, we’re in a dilemma. We’re in kind of a place we’ve never been before.”
On Monday morning, the facility’s shelves appeared to be half-stocked. The facility was running especially low on cereal, soup, tuna and pasta — areas of the warehouse that are often full. One box of pasta sat by its lonesome not far from the entrance of the building.
“We could never get rid of spaghetti (and) pasta,” Lombardo said. “Now it’s gone.”
Larger food pantries, such as Person-to-Person in Stamford, are not yet seeing an uptick in people approaching their agency for food, nor are they requesting a surplus of those items from the Food Bank, said P2P CEO Nancy Coughlin.
Smaller food pantries tend to rely more heavily on the Food Bank and may shop there in advance, Coughlin said.
“We’re not, because we maintain a 1-to-2-week inventory, so we don’t run out of things, so we’re not stocking up. Some of the smaller pantries might be doing that,” she said.
Joyce Gumbus, the director of a smaller food pantry out of Wilson Memorial Church in Stamford, said she had to turn away clients when she ran out of food last Thursday.
“It’s just a great fear out there and I don’t think the world is really getting it right now,” said Gumbus, who hasn’t experienced an occurrence like this in the 15 years she’s run 164 Wilson Food Pantry.
The elderly, sick people and mothers with young children are wondering if there will be enough food for them, if the situation amplifies, Gumbus said.
The narrative hits close to home for Lombardo and Gumbus, who have at one point, received human services assistance themselves.
“I want the story out there because people don’t get it; we have poverty in this community,” Lombardo said.
“They think lower Fairfield County; they think everybody is just fine and dandy,” she said. “And no, it’s tougher to live in a wealthy community when you’re poor, when everyone else around you is in the same battle rowing in the same boat. (Struggling) people are going against the tide.”
While Food Bank leaders are in deep need of donated food items, they’re asking the public to refrain from giving spoiled, opened or half-eaten bags of food, which they said they’ve received in the past.
“Put on someone’s table what you would put on your table,” Lombardo said.
Her colleague Willie Johnson, the warehouse manager at the Food Bank, chimed in as he stood next to Lombardo.
“Some people have the mentality that (low-income) people will accept anything,” Johnson said. “But (that) needs to be eradicated.”
A local Easter tradition continues for the 17th consecutive year as SPLURGE partners with Kids In Crisis and The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County to collect filled Easter baskets for children in need. Located at 39 Lewis Street, SPLURGE provides a convenient downtown location for members of the community to donate filled Easter baskets now through Wednesday, March 27th. Two other Greenwich businesses have joined SPLURGE in this mission and baskets may also be delivered to Freccia Brothers at 246 West Putnam Avenue and the Law Office of Gill Ingraham at 115 Mason Street.
SPLURGE owner Sonia Sotire Malloy (pictured above) shared, “I’m excited to announce our 17th annual Easter basket collection for two amazing local organizations, Kids In Crisis and The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. With the help of our friends Guinevere Freccia, Gill Ingraham and Diane Warzoha, last year we were able to deliver nearly 400 Easter baskets to local kids in need and since 2008, we have collected and delivered almost 2,400 Easter baskets. We are so appreciative of our generous customers, the Girl Scouts, and several local church groups who have made this program a huge success. Our 2024 goal is to collect 400 filled Easter baskets and bring smiles to many children on Easter morning.”
Shari Shapiro, Executive Director of Kids In Crisis, says, "Kids In Crisis is so appreciative of everything that Sonia and her customers do for the children in our community. The children are blessed to receive generous Easter baskets made for them with kindness, love, and care. Thank you, SPLURGE team!"
Kate Lombardo, Executive Director of The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County added, "Thank you to Sonia, her team at SPLURGE, and the wonderful members of our community for pulling together to collect and donate Easter baskets for the children in need in our area. Receiving a basket on Easter morning will give children hope and joy when everything around them seems hopeless. This memory will resonate with them for the rest of their lives."
Cellophane wrapped Easter baskets can be filled with items for children ages 2 to 17 and can include toys, journals, games, personal care items, gift cards, packaged healthy snacks and traditional Easter candy. Please contact Sonia Sotire Malloy at sonia@splurgegifts.com if your school or organization is interested in contributing to the SPLURGE Easter Basket Drive.
About SPLURGE: SPLURGE is located at 39 Lewis Street in Greenwich, CT. From lovely hostess gifts to exquisite wedding gifts, a selection of hand-crafted jewelry and a vast assortment of children’s gifts including clothing for girls sizes 7 - 16, SPLURGE offers something for everyone. SPLURGE is the winner of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce “Small Business of the Year,” “Best Gift Shop,” “Best Hostess Gifts,” “Best Home Accessories Boutique” and “Best Children’s Clothes” from Moffly Media’s Best of the Gold Coast and “Best Teachers Gifts” from Serendipity Magazine. SPLURGE is open Monday through Saturday 10am – 6pm and Sunday 12 – 5pm. Phone: 203-869-7600. Website: www.splurgegifts.com. Email: sonia@splurgegifts.com.
The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County is very pleased to announce that it has received a $2,000 grant by check dated October 17, 2023, from the International Paper Foundation for the purchase of nutritious food to help those in lower Fairfield County who are food insecure. This marks the 6th year that the International Paper Foundation has chosen to support The Food Bank’s efforts to feed the hungry.
The International Paper Foundation is one of the ways International Paper strives to reach its vision to be among the most successful, sustainable, and responsible companies in the world. Started in 1952, the International Paper Foundation annually provides millions in grants to 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organizations to address critical needs in the communities where its employees live and work. Funding priority is given to programs related to its signature causes: education, hunger, health & wellness, disaster relief, and initiatives that improve the planet.
The Food Bank is pleased to announce receipt on October 10, 2023, of a $5,000 donation from the Crane Charitable Funds. Pictured from left to right are Food Bank Executive Director Kate Lombardo and Crane NTX employee Chelsea Ancheta. The Crane Charitable Funds, comprised of three separate funds that each have their own particular donation guidelines, proudly support organizations that provide needed assistance to the underserved in their local communities. The Crane Charitable Funds touch the lives of many through its efforts to support issues around food insecurity, affordable housing, education, health, environmental protection, animal welfare, and many other worthy causes.
The Food Bank is pleased to announce receipt of a $5,000, 2023 CommunityFirst Grant from the First County Bank Foundation, Inc. Pictured are Sabastian Kulesza, Assistant Vice President and Glenbrook Branch Manager at First County Bank, and Food Bank Executive Director Kate Lombardo. Established in 2001 in honor of First County Bank’s 150th anniversary, the First County Bank Foundation, Inc. was created to distribute funds annually to non-profit organizations that support education enrichment of family & children, community & economic development and affordable housing.
On April 27, 2023, the Wilton Woman’s Club held its 14th Annual Fashion Show Fundraiser, successfully raising $26,000 for The Food Bank.
The Wilton Women’s Club is a voluntary organization for women of diverse ages, backgrounds and talents who come together for community service, philanthropy, education, and socializing. Its objectives are to serve and to learn, and it has followed this proud tradition since the club’s inception in 1966, while adapting to the ever-changing lifestyles and interests of its members. The club is dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service.
The Savings Bank of Danbury Foundation has recognized The Food Bank as a 2022 Community Grant Recipient, with an award of $4,000. The certificate that was presented to Food Bank Executive Director Kate Lombardo by Kendal Joseph, Savings Bank of Danbury Assistant Vice President, Community Development Manager, and by Robert Hagan, Savings Bank of Danbury Vice President, Commercial Banking, states that it is “presented in appreciation of all the outstanding work that your organization does to make a difference in our communities.” This is the fifth consecutive year that the Savings Bank of Danbury Foundation has chosen The Food Bank as a Community Grant Recipient.
Contact Info
461 Glenbrook Road
Stamford, CT 06906
Phone: (203) 358-8898
Email: atarantino@foodbanklfc.org