STAMFORD – What a spectacular Harvest Table! The 7th annual Harvest Table fundraiser, held November 12 at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich, raised more than $110,000 for New Covenant Center, one of the largest soup kitchens in the state. “The event was a record-breaking financial success, and topped last year’s attendance with over 300 supporters,” said John Gutman, executive director.
Harvest Table featured a silent auction offering 100 items, delicious varieties of hors d’oeuvres from our Marketplace vendors, and guest speaker Cecily Gans, who spoke about Fighting Food Insecurity One Bite at a Time.
Gutman said the funds will be used to support NCC programs and operations throughout the year.
“Our largest expenditures are on nutritious fresh and frozen food. Our Food Pantry monthly shoppers have increased from 400 to 1,200 in 2-1/2 years in our new facility, while maintaining our goal of giving each individual 10 days of groceries each month,” Gutman said.
“With thousands more people in our Stamford area and surrounding communities not receiving 30 days of food each month, we have to purchase more refrigeration and freezer units, as well as renting off-site, climatized storage units to house the free and reduced donations we receive from various Food Banks and food purveyors,” he said.
Al Barber, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities, which sponsors New Covenant Center, said that all those who participated in the Harvest Table event have made it possible to reach to the working poor, homeless and elderly throughout the year.
“We’re very grateful for the enthusiastic and sacrificial support of so many board members, donors and volunteers. Their commitment is a particularly strong statement during the Thanksgiving holiday,” Barber said.
The event was made possible through the generous support of sponsors: Mike & Diane Boyd, Bruce & Linda Koe, XL Catlin, Nils & Christine Dahl, Greg & Sarita Hanley, Ed & Gina Kearns, Terry & Leslie Laughren, Laure Aubuchon, Clive A. Correia, Darien Rowayton Bank, Hyatt Regency Greenwich, Odell Mays, Narragansett Brewing Company, Pottery Barn, Holly & Dwayne Richardson, Peter & Barbara Ripp, RMS Companies, Bob & Lisa Schultz, Hearst Media Services, Moffly Media, and Pepperidge Farm.
In addition to serving well over 600,000 meals a year, New Covenant Center helps guests through life coaching, job skills training, a computer lab, immigration services and basic living needs such as haircuts and showers.
It is open 365 days per year, providing three meals daily. It now operates one of the largest food pantries in the state and the largest in Stamford.
New Covenant Center is located at 174 Richmond Hill Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902. Phone: (203) 964-8228. It is open Monday-Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm
Online at: http://www.newcovenantcenter.org/