MONROE FOOD PANTRY

MISSION STATEMENT

The Monroe Food Pantry’s mission is to provide nutritional assistance to financially struggling town residents in a manner that ensures and protects their dignity and confidentiality.

WHAT WE DO

The Monroe Food Pantry provides emergency food assistance for needy individuals and families in Monroe. Our clients receive one week’s worth of food per month by scheduled appointments, while using the client-choice food distribution model. Via donations from major grocery store vendors, monetary and in-kind donations from Monroe town residents, and our volunteers’ fundraising efforts, we strive to consistently provide our clients with a wide range of healthy food items, including: produce, milk, eggs, frozen meat, and non-perishables.

Our Food Pantry Coordinator works with volunteers to sort food, stock shelves, assist clients with "shopping” for their groceries at the Pantry, and deliver food to home bound clients.

We serve more than 100 households per month and an average of more than 200 families per year.

WHO WE ASSIST

Clients must register with the Monroe Department of Community & Social Services in order to utilize the Food Pantry.  Eligibility for use of the Food Pantry is determined by the Director of Community & Social Services, the Social Services and Elderly Services Coordinators, or the Food Pantry Coordinator.  More guidelines for eligibility can be found by clicking here.

HOW WE OPERATE

The Food Pantry is primarily supported by the generous donations of the people in Monroe. We receive donations of non-perishable foods from concerned individuals, and through community food drives held by the Post Office, schools, churches, businesses, and service organizations. Monetary donations are used to purchase milk, eggs and other items to fill in our inventory, as necessary. We access inexpensive or free food through the Connecticut Food Bank, and the Food Pantry Coordinator makes purchases at Big Y, Stop & Shop and other food providers to fill in our inventory. Click here to find a list of items that the pantry needs.

FOOD PANTRY OPERATIONS

1) Clients MUST keep their scheduled appointments. If you want or need to re-schedule, please call the food pantry at 203-452-2817.

2) Clients will be asked to stay in their car and fill out a form to indicate the food options they would like/need. A volunteer will take the form and shop for the client. Clients are asked not to come in the food pantry, as to try and reduce the number of people in the building and prevent crowding.

3) Clients must call ahead for bread and produce.

4) All staff, volunteers, and clients will be asked to wash their hands when entering the building.

5) Volunteers will be asked to wear gloves while stocking shelves and shopping for clients.

6) If clients would like to place their order ahead of time, or fill the order form out at home, please email the food pantry at foodpantry@monroect.org.