SHELTON — The Spooner House annual frozen turkey and fixings drive for holiday meal baskets will begin on Wednesday, November 15 and continue through mid December. The goal for this holiday season is to prepare 750 meal baskets; the items suggested for each basket are at the end of this release. Last year the Spooner House Food Bank served 3,000 holiday meals from many collection sites.
On Wednesday, November 15 with Gobble & Give Dinner, and Silent Auction from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. at 1000 Bridgeport Avenue. Then on Thursday, November 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. also at 1000 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton, Dr. Bruce Sofferman and his family will continue their more than 40+ year tradition of dressing up as Pilgrims and Native Americans to flag down drivers with the goal of collecting food for those in need. This year with so many working from home since the beginning pf the COVID crisis, more people than ever are needing support in the lower Naugatuck Valley to obtain all the ingredients necessary for satisfying holiday meals.
“In 2022 we collected enough for more than 650 baskets serving hundreds of individuals through the Spooner House Food Bank during the holidays,” explained Executive Director Susan Compton Agamy. “The winter months always increase the need for more services because of the colder temperatures and a variety of other issues which impact our client base.”
“We are delighted to have the more than 40 years of support from Smile Dental Center owner, Dr. Bruce Sofferman, his wife Deborah and daughter Sophia, to help with the annual food drive,” continued Agamy. “They wear traditional Pilgrim and Native American Thanksgiving costumes and are joined by a turkey mascot this year portrayed by Brendan Carey from the Grow Group as they stand along Bridgeport Avenue to encourage drivers to drop off frozen turkeys and fixings. The drive this year will again be in front of the Smile Dental Center at 1000 Bridgeport Avenue.”
“This has been a holiday tradition for my family for 40 plus years,” Dr. Sofferman explained. “It’s a way for us to give back to a community we love and once again hope to be a major contributor to the Spooner House goal to provide Thanksgiving meals for all in need.”
Visit www.actspooner.org for other donation locations and updates. Also check for updates and pictures on the Spooner House Facebook page. This year is no exception and the need for increased generosity will be critical for the collection which continues into mid-December at various locations. as possible and thanks in advance for any help your organization can provide.
Anyone may drop food items at the Spooner House, 30 Todd Road in Shelton, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The staff is on duty 24/7. Please contact the supervisor on duty to arrange a donation delivery at 203 – 225-0453.
Area Congregations Together, Inc. (ACT) is a non-profit 501c3 organization and was formed in 1979 to help fill gaps in the lower Naugatuck Valley’s social service network. Today, Spooner House is operated by ACT and is a facility that provides food, shelter and support services to approximately 150 men, women and children during the year, annually for 3,000 people are providing approximately 100,000 meals. Spooner House is recognized as one of the most comprehensive emergency shelter programs in Connecticut and through its food bank provides ten days’ worth of groceries each month to participating families throughout the lower Naugatuck Valley. Spooner House is devoted to helping people establish self-sufficiency in an atmosphere of respect and dignity. Area Congregations Together, Inc. is a partner agency of the Valley United Way.
SEE BELOW FOR REQUESTED LIST OF FIXINGS
Please place your items in a sturdy box or bin · 1 Box Instant Potatoes
· 2 Packages of Gravy
· 1 Box/Bag Stuffing Mix
· 1 Can Cranberry Sauce
· 4 Cans of Vegetables, for example: corn/peas/asparagus/yams/carrots/beets
· Pie Crust Mix
· Pie Filling
· 1 Can Evaporated/Powdered Milk
· 1 Jar Pickles
· 2 Cans Olives
· Canned Fruit, for example: peaches/pineapple/mixed fruit/fruit cocktail
· Coffee/Tea
· Powdered Juice Mix
Extras: Napkins, Paper towels, Toilet paper, Sugar, Brownie Mix, Corn Bread/Biscuit Mix
