Non-Profit Update

Foodshare’s Mobile Food Pantry will be at a number of locations throughout the state this week including this Tuesday at 10 am in Avon at the Farmington Valley American Muslim Center and Wednesday at 11:30 am at Torrington’s First Congregational Church. More information at ctfoodshare.org.

The League of Women Voters of Litchfield County will hold their annual luncheon this Saturday beginning at noon at the Torrington Elks Lodge. The luncheon will feature Dr Mary Jane Minkin who will discuss the topic of women's healthcare in Connecticut. More information at litchfieldlwv.org

Litchfield’s Oliver Wolcott Library will hold poetry critique club meeting this Tuesday at 7 pm. More information at owlibrary.org

Litchfield’s Oliver Wolcott Library will hold a poetry discussion this Tuesday at 7 pm to celebrate National Poetry Month. Additionally, the library will hold a program with the Litchfield Land Trust entitled Preserving The Future Of Litchfield this Thursday at 7 pm. Also, the library will hold a program on author William Faulkner this Friday at 10:30 am. More information at owlibrary.org

The Litchfield Community Center  will hold a presentation on the Bible Code this Tuesday at 1 pm. Additionally, the center will hold a Live, Lunch, Learn event this Wednesday at 12 noon. Also, the Center will hold a day of food and music featuring Northeast Country this Friday at 12 noon. Finally, the center will hold a showing of the film The Boyd in the Boat on Monday April 29 at 1 pm. More information at thecommunitycenter.org

The Winsted Recreation Department is hiring Summer camp counselors and lifeguards. More information at townofwinchester.org/job-openings

Winchester Center Congregational Church will hold their Quilt & Needle Show this Saturday and Sunday. For more information, winchestercentercongchurch.org

The Norfolk Library will hold a presentation on the Norfolk Natural Resource Inventor this Thursday at 5:30 pm. Additionally, the library will hold a program on gardening basics this Sunday at 2 pm. More information at norfolklibrary.org

Upcoming Blood Drives

The Red Cross has announced the following blood drives:

Tuesday April 23 from 12 to 5 pm at Friendship Baptist Church, 441 Torrington Road, Litchfield

Thursday April 25 from 12 to 5 pm at Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Rd

More information, 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.