This week we introduce a new column, offering ways you can help those in need by either donating or volunteering. We will be highlighting several organizations and individuals that offer goods and services in and around Stratford. We’ll add new organizations with each column, while retaining a list of contact information from prior columns.
Find the one (or ones) that touch your heart, and give what you can in time and/or treasure. We’ll provide their mission statement or a brief summary of what they do. Please click on the links for further information.
If you are part of an organization that we haven’t listed, or have an activity of your own, please let us know! We want to share as much information with as many people as possible. The needs are growing.
Covenant to Care for Children: covenanttocare.org
Mission: Covenant to Care for Children provides a safety net for abused, neglected or impoverished children in Connecticut by providing essential support in moments that are critical for a child’s ability to thrive and a family’s ability to stay together.
We fulfill this mission by partnering with State agencies, faith-based communities, and other organizations that share our dedication to improving the lives and futures of at-risk children in Connecticut. Through our collaborative system of program delivery, we mobilize the generosity of caring individuals and leverage the resources of social service agencies to provide direct assistance and critical goods to families struggling to meet the basic needs of their children.
EMERGE: www.emerge.net
Mission: EMERGE Connecticut® is a self-sufficient social enterprise committed to assisting formerly incarcerated people successfully integrate back into their families and communities.
Emerge has locations in New Haven and Bridgeport. They are supported by the State of CT Judicial Branch, the City of New Haven, the City of Bridgeport, United Way of Greater New Haven, Bank of America, CT Department of Agriculture, CT Department of Correction, REDF, the Lewis G. Schaeneman, Jr. Foundation, and Kreitler Financial.
Sterling Community Center Food Bank: sterlingcommunitycenter.org
Mission: Create impactful & inclusive programs and services that engage and cultivate a thriving community
Our food pantry serves everyone from low-income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the pantry. Please bring a reusable bag to carry food.
Homes for the Brave: homesforthebrave.org
Mission: With an emphasis on Veterans, we provide the housing and services necessary to help homeless individuals return to a productive and meaningful life.
Values: 1. It is essential to serve others with honesty, integrity, empathy, and patience; 2. Every individual deserves to be treated with respect and dignity; 3. By providing a non-judgmental environment and access to a comprehensive array of services, we demonstrate commitment to putting those we serve first; 4. Hard work and responsibility lead to independence; 5. Innovation is essential to developing creative solutions that are responsive to the evolving needs of our residents.
The Neighbors’ Nook: Little Free Pantry
This entire article appeared in the Stratford Crier January 11, 2026 edition and can be found in the current Crier in archived articles.
On November 2, 2025, the day after the federal government stopped SNAP benefits and froze food assistance for 360,000 residents in Connecticut, Lileana Torres repurposed a plant stand she had in her garage and put food items on it for passersby to take. Within hours, the stand was empty. So, she kept replenishing it, and with the help of generous neighbors and using her own family’s food budget, the pantry continued on. There are no questions asked or intake forms to fill out. “Take what you need,” Lileana says.It doesn’t take much to help a neighbor. And you don’t need to go far to make a true impact. Learn more about how you can join the Little Free Pantry movement, help Lileana, and donate to The Neighbors’ Nook by dropping off non-perishable food items or hygiene items at Obodo Serendipity Books on Paradise Green, January through March.
