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Volunteer Opportunities

Congregation B’nai Israel

Tikkun Olam Opportunities

For the Hungry:

Schoke Jewish Family Service of Fairfield County:  We are delighted to inform you that Congregation B’nai Israel will serve as a satellite location for the Jewish Family Service Kosher Food Pantry. The pantry provides kosher food and personal care items to members of our community who are unable to afford such items for their families. The pantry is located in Stamford, which has put a strain on serving clients in upper Fairfield County (including Stamford, New Canaan, Darien, Westport, Weston, Wilton, Norwalk and Bridgeport). Our temple has agreed to provide a storage area for the pantry; at the outset, we will stock the pantry, then store and bag items for monthly delivery or pickup.

Your hands and vehicles are needed. We are looking for volunteers who can  a) pick up food from the Connecticut Food Bank distribution center in Bridgeport (approx. 2.5 miles from the temple; SUV/van/wagon needed) and stock the pantry; b) bag the food/personal items for distribution; and c) make deliveries to food bank clients.

All volunteers must attend a virtual one-hour training session conducted by the Connecticut Food Bank. If you are interested, please contact Judy Blumenthal (judygblumenthal@gmail.com) or Ivan Maisel (Ivan.Maisel@gmail.com). 

Bridgeport Islamic Community Center:  Needs financial support to provide meals to the families they help to feed and clothe. The need has greatly increased as many of the people they serve have lost their jobs and several food pantries in the area have closed.  In addition, the food bank offerings and rescues from supermarkets that usually provide them with provisions, has diminished greatly.

Operation Hope
If you’re stocking up on your pantry basics, Operation Hope’s most pressing needs are cash, checks and grocery store gifts cards, which allow them to purchase fresh produce, dairy and meat for their clients. Regular-size items (not bulk) are appreciated as they continue to put together bags for clients to pick up curbside. Drop off at their pantry M-F, 9am-5pm at 636 Old Post Road. Or simply shop their Amazon Wish List and send the donation directly to them at bit.ly/oh-amazon-pantry-wish-list. And, monetary donations are always welcome so they can purchase exactly what they need for their clients, click here to donate. 

-CASH, CHECKS, GROCERY STORE GIFT CARDS
-Lysol spray, cleaning wipes and cleaning supplies
-Oatmeal (not bulk)
-Cookies (regular sized packages)
-Travel size deodorant
-Gravy
-Bagged stuffing
-Canned green beans, corn & peas
-Mayonnaise
-Microwave popcorn
-Shelf-stable (boxed) milk
-Baked beans

Mercy Learning Center:
The mission of Mercy Learning Center (MLC) is to provide basic literacy and life skills training to low-income women using a holistic approach within a compassionate, supportive environment. All women are welcome without regard for race, religion, color, creed, sexual orientation or national origin.

The rear parking lot at MLC is open every Friday from 10 am to 12 noon for deliveries.  Folks can come and drop off food, diapers, and gift cards.

Please leave donations by the back of the building and the janitor will take them into the building. (He will be outside waiting during the delivery period.)  Everyone who is dropping off must have a mask and practice social distancing.

Donors must include their name(s) in the bag, envelope, or container so we can distribute appropriate thank you letters in the near future. 

These are basic items that will help.  (There are more items on our wish list but these are the most essential right now.)

·      bags of rice and bags of any type of dried beans, lentils, etc.
·      tomato paste, tomato sauce, or diced tomatoes
·      oatmeal, cream of wheat, corn meal, flour, cooking oil
·      powdered or evaporated milk
·      pasta
·      canned fruit, applesauce
·      canned vegetables
·      canned meats
·      toilet paper, bars of soap, other toiletries
·      Diapers: sizes 4, 5, and 6
·      Gift cards: Stop and Shop, Shop Rite, Walgreens, CVS

Financial donations are always welcome by check (preferred) or via the MLC website (link above).

CT Food Bank
Offers food for those in need. Visit their website to donate food in Bridgeport or to make a financial contribution.

Bridgeport Rescue Mission:  Provides services such as hot meals, shelter, clean clothing, access to medical care for the homeless.  In need of monetary donations.

St. John’s Family Center
Do you or someone you know have unwanted new or gently-used clothes or shoes?  Bring them over to SJFC Community Clothing Closet located at 1067 Park Avenue in Bridgeport, CT!  We give out these items for free to individuals/families who are in-need in the Bridgeport area.  We are always looking for donations of in-season items.  Contact us at stjohnsfamilycenter1067@gmail.com or 203-335-2999 to set up a donation drop-off appointment

Al’s Angels Covid Recovery Food Drive: 

Food is being delivered to families battling financial issues as a result of the Covid crisis in Norwalk, Fairfield, Westport & Bridgeport – thru Al’s Angels Partners.

Every Saturday from 10am-3pm in front of Saugatuck Sweets – 28 Reef Road.  Here is a list of items being collected:

Canned Vegetables – Canned Fruit – Peanut Butter – Jelly – Baking Products – Boxed Milk – Dry Beans – Children’s Diapers -Fruit Juice – Potatoes – Cookies – Apples – Pasta – Tomato Sauce – Soup -Canned Tuna – Mac & Cheese – Cereal – Individual size Water – Energy Bars -Toilet Paper – Paper Towels – Coffee – Tea

For those in Need:

Homes for the Braves:  Is a not-for-profit with a mission of providing housing and services to individuals experiencing homelessness, especially Veterans is in need masks, hand sanitizer, cleaning disinfectant, and gloves. Also requesting items such as games, individually wrapped snacks, single serve fruit, and anything that would benefit the residents.

Our Woven Community:  Is a program that provides local resettled refugee women the opportunity to become self-sufficient leaders and become empowered with entrepreneurial skills and economic opportunity.  Instead of selling product at events which provides a source of income for the women, the women are currently sewing masks to donate.  In order to continue to provide the refugee women with an income during this time, donations are the being requested and can be made through the website, https://burroughscenter.org/programs/owc-program/

Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants:  CIRI provides legal, economic, linguistic, and social services to immigrants, refugees, and survivors of human trafficking throughout Connecticut.  In need of financial contributions and donations of shelf stable food, household essentials, personal hygiene items, baby products, electronics, and school supplies and gift cards to Gala Foods (1457 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport) Email Christian Mendoza at cmendoza@cirict.org for more information.

Donate blood by making an appointment at the American Red Cross website.

Donate Plasma:  People who have recovered from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can donate potentially life-saving plasma to critically ill patients fighting the virus at Danbury and Norwalk Hospitals.

Donate Used Bedding:  The Bridgeport YMCA is looking for used bedding and toiletries for non hospitalized but quarantined COVID-19 patients.  Place outside your home, text them at 203.895.7892 with your address and they will come pick it up.  They are also accepting cash donation or checks made out to Alpha Community Services YMCA, Bridgeport.