3 Fairfield Women On A Mission: Get Food To Those Who Need It

FAIRFIELD, CT — A year ago, three Fairfielders gathered on Sherman Green for an impromptu food drive, the result of a conversation they’d had on social media less than 48 hours earlier.

“We had no idea what to expect,” said Heather Dubrosky, recalling the first quiet minutes on the green as the trio waited to see if anyone would show up. “And then they started coming, and it never stopped.”

Today marks the 27th food drive that Dubrosky, Helene Daly and Alexis Harrison have organized since March 15, 2020. From the early days of the coronavirus pandemic in Connecticut, their events have offered Fairfield residents a way to give back to those in need during a particularly difficult time.

“The struggle is real here in Connecticut,” Harrison said, noting every time the trio holds a drive, at least one person comes who is in need of food. “We feel like we have to look out for each other.”

In Fairfield, demand at Operation Hope has risen 42 percent since the onset of the pandemic, according to Executive Director Carla Miklos. The women often give to Operation Hope, but also make a point to donate to organizations in lower income areas where the shelves at food pantries are sometimes empty, such as Nourish Bridgeport, the Bridgeport Rescue Mission and the Center for Family Justice.

Since last March, they have collected more than $10,000 and thousands of pounds of food.

While most of their events have been drive-thru only to maximize efficiency and facilitate social distancing, Daly, Dubrosky and Harrison have made an effort to add some fun and variety to the drives, with live music, a food collection competition between local schools and a Mother’s Day tribute event.

The food drives started as a weekly affair and have gradually become a monthly undertaking, but the trio has no plans to stop. As demand for food remains high, so do donations.

“We’ve been out there in the rain, the snow, thunder, lightning, wind, cold, sweltering heat,” Daly said. “It doesn’t matter. They still come.”

Saturday’s event will take place back where it all started, on Sherman Green, from 10 a.m. to noon. Proceeds will go to Operation Hope.

Requested donations include grocery gift cards and cash, canned stew, cooking oil, salad dressing and mayonnaise, pasta side dishes, bottled juice, quinoa and other healthy grains, pie crust mix, pancake syrup, honey, coffee, tuna and canned meats, canned mushrooms, olives, artichokes, sauces and marinades.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.