Agency Sees Increase In 'Food Insecurity' In Westport

WESTPORT, CT — In a normal year, the Community Kitchen run by the local charity organization Homes with Hope serves more than 30,000 meals to the less fortunate in Westport.

But in 2020, which has been anything but normal, the coronavirus pandemic has brought on new challenges, starting with a large increase the number of meals served.

Homes with Hope also runs a food pantry in town, and according to Paris Looney, the organization's vice president and COO, 50 percent jump in the number of families seeking food from the pantry.

As a result, Looney said that there are a number of foods the pantry could use.

"We would appreciate donations of cold cereal, canned meats, canned veggies, pasta sauce, peanut butter and jelly," Looney told Patch. "Donations can be dropped off 'contactless' at the Gillespie Center at 45 Jesup Road in Westport."

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Because of the pandemic and social distancing protocols, serving the food insecure has been difficult.

"Our facility is closed to the public, and we no longer have our volunteers on-site, serving meals," Looney said. "We modified our community kitchen practices to have meals taken off the property, 'to go.' As required by local/state officials, everyone is required to wear a mask or face covering to receive a meal or a nonperishable bag of food from the food pantry. We continue to meet the needs of those who are food insecure in a safe and modified way with new social distancing policies in place."

For more information on Homes with Hope, click here.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.