Non-Profit Update

The Foodshare mobile food pantry will be at a number of locations this week. More information at foodshare.org or CTfoodbank.org

The Torrington Library will hold a presentation on Amelia Earhart this Thursday at 6:30 pm. For more information, torringtonlibrary.org

The Torrington Volunteer Fire Department will hold a Car Show this Friday from 5 to 9 pm on Main Street. More information can be found on the event’s Facebook page.

Torrington’s Coe Memorial Park will hold a free concert this Friday at 7 pm with a performance by The Kerry Boys. For more information, torringtonct.myrec.com

Litchfield Community Center will hold a Senior lunch and concert event this Thursday from 12 to 2 pm with a performance by The Good Time Band. Additionally, the center will hold Summer Sunset Concert this Friday at 6 pm with a performance by The Alpaca Gnomes. More information at Thecommunitycenter.org

Canton's Mill Pond Park will hold a free concert this Thursday at 6:30 pm with a performance by the Great Hill Mountain Band. For more information, cantonrec.org

Thomaston’s Seth Thomas Park will hold a Summer Concert on Monday August 15 at 7 pm with a performance by Grayson Ty. More information at Thomastonfinearts.com

Collinsville’s Music on Main will hold a free concert this Thursday at 6 pm with a performance by Liz Reed-Swale. Music on Main will also hold a concert this Saturday at 6 pm with a performance by Silk and Steel. More information can be found on the Visit Collinsville CT Facebook page.

New Harford's Brodie Park will hold a concert this Wednesday at 7 pm with the Jeff Blaney Band playing in front of Berkshire Hall. For more information, newhartfordct.gov.

Upcoming Blood Drives

The Red Cross has announced the following local blood drives:

Wednesday August 10 from 12 to 5 pm at Praise Christian Fellowship Church, 52 New Hartford Road, Barkhamsted

Thursday August 11 from 10 am to 3 pm at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 837 Charles St., Torrington

Saturday August 13 from 8 am to 1 pm at Burlington Town Hall, 200 Spielman Highway, and from 9 am to 2 pm at South End Volunteer Fire Dept., 20 Antolini Road, New Hartford

For more information or an appointment, redcrossblood.org.

Local Shelters and Food Pantries

FISH of Torrington operates a 35-bed Emergency shelter that accepts single adults and families with children. 5 beds are dedicated to veterans and their in-house food service provides breakfast and dinners to all residents. Intake hours are Monday to Sunday: 9 am to 11 pm. The length of stay is 90 days; however, veterans can stay longer. More information at 860-496-1648

The FISH Food Pantry provides supplemental food to those individuals and families who qualify using guidelines established by the Emergency Food Assistance Program. The Pantry is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 3pm and Friday from 10am to 2pm or by appointment. Both food and monetary donations are accepted and needed. For more information, fishnwct.org

The YMCA operates an emergency shelter in the Winchester area.  More information at 860-379-0708.The Salvation Army, Torrington Corps Community Center provides a food pantry for residents of Goshen and Torrington. ID for all household members and proof of income and expenses is required. Pantry Hours: Tuesday through Friday 9am-3pm. For more information, 860-482-3569. 

FISH of Torrington provides a food pantry for residents of Goshen, Harwinton, Litchfield, Morris, New Hartford and Torrington. Proof of residency and income for all household members is required. Pantry hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 10am-1pm

For more information, 860-482-7300 

New Hartford's Little Free Food Pantry is open 24/7 at St. John's Episcopal Church on the Pine Meadow Green.

The Harwinton Food Pantry, located in the basement of the Town Hall, is stocked with canned food items and is open to Harwinton residents Tuesdays from 10:30-11:45am

For more information, 860-485-9613

The Town of Burlington’s food pantry for town residents is open Mondays through Fridays 8:30am-4pm.

For more information, 860-673-6789

The Town of Thomaston’s food pantry serves town residents in emergency situations. Documentation required along with proof of residency.

For more information, 203-558-0853

The Salvation Army's Meriden food pantry serves working families, families who have been laid off during the year, families on state assistance with lost, stolen, or late checks, elderly persons and pregnant teens. The Pantry hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 9am-12pm

For more information, 203-235-6532

The Town of West Hartford provides a food pantry for residents of the town with income restrictions. The Pantry hours are Mondays through Fridays from 8:30am-4:30pm.

For more information, 860-561-7561.

Hands On Hartford offers a full choice shopping model Community Pantry.

For more information, 860-246-6757

The Berlin Food Pantry serves town residents. Appointments are strongly advised.

For more information, please call 860-828-7030

The Bloomfield Food Pantry serves town residents. Picture ID and proof of residency required.

For more information, 860-242-1895.

Canton’s Trinity Episcopal Church provides a food pantry for residents of Canton area neighborhoods. Photo ID or other proof of address required.

For more information, 860-693-0629

Middletown’s Amazing Grace offers approximately 3 days worth of food to individuals and families once per month. Family size determines the amount of food given at each visit. They are located on Stack Street near Rome Avenue.

For more information, 860-347-3222

The New Britain Food and Resource Center food pantry is open to New Britain residents Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am-3pm.

For more information, 860-827-8402

Business Update

As a service to Torrington area businesses, WAPJ will be broadcasting short, non-promotional announcements concerning a business’s status during this pandemic emergency. As this is a rapidly changing situation, it is recommended that you contact the business to determine its status before going to its location.

Connecticut United Way has partnered with Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners, to offer a free financial coaching program available online and by phone. Known as TrustPlus, the program provides one‐on‐one support for clients with challenges such as dealing with creditors, finding emergency resources, and reducing debt. The program is available to all Connecticut residents. You can sign up by texting “AliceSaves” to 646‐349‐5959 or on line at go.neighborhoodtrust.org/8w57.

If your Torrington area business would like to announce its status, whether open, closed or reduced hours, etc, on WAPJ, please send a short, non-promotional message about your status to update@wapj.org.