March 24, 2020
Dear Redding Community,
I want to give everyone a quick update from Redding Social Services Department. We have been very busy this week as you can imagine. It has been wonderful to receive all of the donations and phone calls, as well as hearing from everyone wanting to help.
At the moment, we are gathering names of people who would like to volunteer, and by next week we will have a formal application that includes a background check for the safety of our seniors. The police department is setting up a system to issue local volunteers with an identifying badge. This should help seniors feel more at ease when they see you on their property. Please give me some time to have this set up by early next week.
We are accepting donations and the food pantry is open during limited days and hours. Although our office if open M-Th from 9 – 5, food drop-offs and pickups follow a strict time schedule. (See below) Please note we accept checks, cash, and food donations. We have been buying items for the food pantry with the monetary donations or giving out gift cards.
Thank You,
Angelica Fontanez, LCSW
Please note that due to the Governor’s “Stay Safe, Stay at Home” order, our hours at Redding Social Services are limited. We need your help with drop-offs and pick-ups of pantry donations so that we can continue to run our local food pantry.
Donations: We are accepting food and toiletry donation drop-offs on Tuesdays between 1-3 pm only. Donations should be placed outside at the Heritage Center Entrance at RCC and our staff will bring them in. Please try to stick to this Tuesday drop- off window as we do not have staff available to process drop-offs throughout the week.
Assistance: Food pantry pick-ups will be on Thursdays from 2-4 pm, by appointment only. Please make sure to call our office at 203-938-9725 or 203-938-3580 to set a specific pick-up time. You may leave a message on the answering machine, and calls will be returned when staff is available. If needed, you may also inquire about special arrangements.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The CT FOOD BANK has a mobile pantry program that is open to Redding residents. The closest mobile pantries (note limited days and hours) are in Bethel and Danbury.
Here is the link for the mobile pantry showing the dates, times and locations of service. Please note that hours/dates are very limited:
ITEMS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR THE FOOD PANTRY:
Canned Beans (Chickpeas)
Canned Vegetables
Canned Protein (Tuna, Chicken, Salmon)
Cereals
Coffee
Condiments
Fruit Cups
Gluten Free Pasta
Gluten Free Snacks
Juice Boxes
Oatmeal
Ramen Noodles
Spaghetti
Snack Foods
Boxed Pudding and Jello
Shelf-Stable Milk
Soup (Chicken, Beef, and Vegetable)
Tea
Toilet Paper
Applesauce
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereals
Laundry Detergent
Pasta Sauce
