Food Share
going strong
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM/NECT — While the uncertainty of federal support for food programs might be hanging in the background, the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse’s Food Share program is going strong.
Bruce Hay, coffeehouse vice president and Food Share organizer, said thus far, they are not seeing much effect from the federal support uneasiness.
The event, which started during COVID-19, is held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month. It is staffed by volunteers and it is open to all and it’s free.
He said suppliers are all having trouble one way or another. For example Midwest Food Bank in Manchester has the food but is having trouble getting truck drivers. The amount of food the veterans group picks up has not changed.
Food also comes from Connecticut Food Share, which deals with the state and federal government. The Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse’s program is one of two in the state where Connecticut Food Share drops off pallets. The Connecticut Food Share truck comes early to the Putnam farmers market pavilion on Kennedy Drive to drop off pallets, he said. “They give us a good amount,” Hay said but he never knows what might be on the seven or eight pallets. When the pallets arrive at 8:30 a.m. at the pavilion, Hay has to look at what’s on the pallets and estimate how many of each food can go in each box or bag for distribution. “I see what I’ve got on that delivery and go from there.”
One change he’s seen with Connecticut Food Share, he said, is that the food is “nearer to its expiration date;” however, that has no effect on the local program because that food is long “gone by that date.”
Hay said the area’s need is still there. The volunteers serve between 250 and 280 cars at each Food Share. Six months ago, the number served was about the same. A year ago, the figure was about 200 cars served.
For the Food Share this Thursday, July 3, Hay said in addition to the usual foods, he will have eggs. “Everybody will get at least two dozen eggs,” he said. If there are eggs left toward the end, they will give out more than two. In addition, they will offer cheese and hot dogs — just in time for the Fourth of July the next day. He added local vendor Windham Pepsi has given the local Food Share two pallets of soda.
He said eggs will easily keep five weeks past the best by date.
Hay said he opens service to the line of cars at 9:30 a.m. and it keeps moving until 11. He said he’s seen cars start to line up on Kennedy Drive at 5 a.m. The Food Share is drive through.
If there’s any food left, it goes to the Putnam Elks for their first-Saturday food share, the food program at St. Joseph’s Church in N. Grosvenordale and the local VFW and American Legions posts.
The smallest number of volunteers he has had was 40 and the highest number of helpers he’s had is 60.
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caption, page 8
Doesn't Happen Without Volunteers
The Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse Food Share takes place the first Thursday of every month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Putnam Farmers Market Pavilion on Kennedy Drive, Putnam. All are welcome. Bruce Hay, in the red hat, is vice president of the coffeehouse and the Food Share organizer. This photo was taken last November. Linda Lemmon photo.