Middletown Church Helps Feed Those In Need With Lunch Program

MIDDLETOWN, CT — First Church in Middletown recently received a $2,000 grant from Liberty Bank to support its Sunday Lunch program in the fight against food insecurity in the city.

The grant will cover a month’s worth of lunches, according to Pam Hartz Miller.

“We are very grateful for Liberty Bank’s generosity,” Hartz Miller said. “They will be the honorary sponsor of the Sunday Lunch program for the month of November.”

First Church in Middletown has answered the call from St Vincent DePaul to provide 80-100 Sunday lunches to residents of The Men’s Shelter at the YMCA and The Eddy Shelter (the homeless shelter in Middletown), according to Hartz Miller.

“We have been providing meals each Sunday since April,” Hartz Miller said in an email. “This effort is being funded from First Church’s Vision Fund and individual donors to address food insecurity. With the pandemic the need is urgent. We also wanted to support local restaurants so our plan has been to purchase grab and go meals from local restaurants (see list below) for distribution on Sundays. The response has been fantastic and we are happy to partner with these restaurants. Chu Ngo from Lan Chi Vietnamese Restaurant has taken on the coordination of this program and we are so grateful to her.

“We are asking our very generous Middletown community to help support us.”

Related: Middletown Restaurant Owner Hailed As 'Hometown Hero'

Residents can help by making a donation to First Church, 190 Court Street, Middletown, CT 06457 and write “Sunday Lunch Program” in the memo line.

“The cost of one Sunday’s meals is $500 and our ability to fund the program ourselves is limited,” Hartz Miller said. “Every little bit helps.

“The other way you can help is by supporting the local restaurants by either ordering takeout or enjoying outside dining if that is your pleasure.”

The following restaurants are participating in the Sunday Lunch Program:

The Whey Station

China King

Illiano’s on South Main Street and Washington Street

O’Rourke’s Diner

Esca Restaurant and Wine Bar

Nino’s Restaurant and Pizzeria

Typhoon Restaurant

Moonlight Sushi Bar and Grill

Sweet Harmony Cafe

Fiore ll Restaurant

Jerry’s Pizza

Vero Cucina Rustico

La Boca

Forbidden City Bistro

Hachi

Brew Bakers

Thai Garden Restaurant

Café 56

Lan Chi’s Vietnamese Restaurant

Perk on Main

Carmela’s

Herd

Tiano’s Smokehouse

Asian restaurant

See also: Millions Made Hungry By Pandemic Could Include Your Neighbor

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.