Local Food Banks' Patronage Sees Increase During Holidays

The North Branford Community Food Bank has experienced a larger turnout of residents looking for food during this holiday season.

The food bank usually sees single people who are having a difficult time. But recently, entire families have been utilizing the services.

"Up until about two or three years ago, we would get seven or eight people a week. Starting about two years ago [the number of people] doubled," North Branford Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator Joan Lovelace said. "On the average, now, we have 20 to 25 people a week."

The food bank, which was founded in the early 1980s, is paired with another food bank located at the ACES School, in Northford.

Lovelace believes that the increase is a result of the current state of the economy.

"For Thanksgiving, we had about 40 people [come in] between here and Northford. For Christmas, we had about 45," she said. "It is absolutely because of the economy."

Each party is allowed two grocery bags of food during a visit. During Thanksgiving, the food bank gave out gift cards for turkeys, in addition to the other food items in stock.

The idea of gift cards was developed by Joanne Wentworth, Town Council member and head of food bank operations. Wentworth received a large donation and was able to provide the gift cards.

All of the food donated to the food bank is donated by citizens of North Branford in addition to local organizations, churches and businesses.

The North Branford Community Food Bank is open on Saturdays from 1-2:30 p.m., and the Northford Food Bank is open on Saturdays from 10-11:30 a.m.

In order to utilize the food bank, patrons must bring a license or addressed pay stub that proves North Branford residency. No additional paperwork is required.

"If we were a part of Connecticut Food Bank, people would have to go to the town welfare office and show need by paperwork," Lovelace said. "We want to let people know they can come if they are out of work for a few weeks, or if their income just doesn't cover everything."

Lovelace added, "We are North Branford people helping North Branford people."

The food bank is located in the basement of the North Branford Congregational Church on Foxon Road. Despite the shared space, the food bank has no affiliation with the church. It also has no affiliation with the Connecticut Food Bank, and is run independently by volunteer staff.

The food banks are closed this weekend because of the holiday, but will be open again on New Year's Day.