Feed the Hungry

48.8 million Americans, including 16.2 million children,
live in households that are “food insecure” – in other words, they have limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food. Even here in Fairfield County, one of the wealthiest counties in America, there are over 100,000 people – including 38,000 children —who are classified as food insecure.

Saugatuck Church is committed to helping to change those statistics.

Community Kitchen at Gillespie Center

SCC volunteers serve dinner at the Gillespie Center on the fourth Wednesday of every month on behalf of Homes with Hope.

Sign up to volunteer here by clicking “Sign up to help.”

Please prepare a family-style meal for 20 people, to include a main dish, side dish, vegetable, and dessert. No nuts or shellfish, please. Meals may be cooked or purchased. This can be a very powerful community outreach experience helping fill a real need! Thank you!

Food Drives for Local Food Pantries

Our ongoing food drives support the food pantries at both Person-to-Person’s Norwalk location and at the Gillespie Center here in Westport. Donations may be brought to the church office. In addition, we collect food during worship on the first Sunday of each month. Currently, we are requesting:

Low-sodium, no-salt canned vegetables
Low sugar, low sodium pasta sauce
Canned fruit packed in 100% juice or water
Unsweetened applesauce
Unsweetened dried fruit (such as raisins)
Shelf-stable milk, such as Parmalat
Whole wheat pasta
Brown rice
Low-sodium canned or dried beans
Canned tuna/ canned salmon
100% fruit spread
Natural peanut butter
Salsa
Low-sodium or no-salt canned soups
Low-sugar cereals, such as Cheerios, Chex, or Shredded Wheat
Whole wheat tortillas
Taco shells
Unsweetened oatmeal
Dried herbs and spices
Honey
Olive oil
Canned tomato products (low sodium diced/pureed or crushed)
Non-creamy salad dressings/vinegars
Low sodium chicken/vegetable broth or stock
Canned unsalted nuts

Please avoid:

High sugar foods and drinks
Food past the expiration date
Foods needing refrigeration

We also accept monetary donations in lieu of food items. Please make checks payable to “Saugatuck Congregational Church” with  “food pantry” in the memo line.

Community Plates

As home base and the launch market for Community Plates, more than 80% of the 1.5 million pounds of food rescued since their inception has been rescued right here in Fairfield County. The impact that they have made in our community is tremendous. Learn more about being a “Food Runner” – picking up leftovers at one of their partner restaurants or stores, and delivering them to a designated shelter or soup kitchen.