New Canaan Food Drive Helps Residents While Honoring 9/11 Victims

NEW CANAAN, CT — You wouldn't think that there would be much food insecurity in Fairfield County, with the wealth and affluence of so many of the residents throughout the southwestern portion of the state.

But the coronavirus pandemic has changed everything, especially as it relates to who may be in need of food, according to state Rep. Lucy Dathan, who represents parts of New Canaan and Norwalk.

Dathan organized a food drive on Sunday with Person-to-Person, the community-based charity organization that helps area residents in need with necessities such as food. The group helps residents of New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Darien, Westport, Weston and Wilton.

"We decided to do this, because I spoke to a constituent who suffered through the pandemic and was looking for an agency that could help with food and necessities," Dathan told Patch. "He'd never sought such help before, and we knew there are others out there like him."

See related:

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Person-to-Person has seen an uptick in requests for food from residents, and Sunday marked the group's third food drive since May, Dathan said.

"This year has just been really hard for people," she said, adding that some people not only had difficulty buying food, but also school supplies as classes resumed; Person-to-Person also helps with that. "It runs the gamut, the pandemic has taken a toll on families from all over the region, multi-generational families, you name it."

Sunday's drive not only collected canned foods, pasta and other staples, but also fresh fruits and vegetables.

"We've been trying to collect things that are healthy, because with fast food so cheap, we want to provide an alternative that is free," Dathan said.

With the 9/11 anniversary on Friday, the drive's organizers also sought to honor the victims by collecting 3,000 items of food, one for every victim of the tragedy.

Dathan said that Person-to-Person also is hosting a coat drive, and will host a turkey drive with Walter Stewart's Market in New Canaan in time for Thanksgiving.

The organization also accepts monetary donations. For more information, visit the Person-to-Person website.

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.