MONROE, CT — Stop & Shop customers donated 2,693 pounds of food and grocery products and gave $1,158 in financial contributions during Refill the Pantry’s collection drive for the Monroe Food Pantry on Saturday, Aug. 2.
Over 30 volunteers worked outside the supermarket at 470 Monroe Turnpike on the hot day.
This was the second collection effort by Refill the Pantry that benefitted the Monroe Food Pantry this year, and the results topped the previous one three months earlier, when the faith-based group collected 2,469 pounds of food and grocery product donations and $902.82 in financial donations, also at the town’s Stop & Shop.
The organization’s coordinator, Rich Lansing, dropped off the donations to Monroe Food Pantry Coordinator Eddie Lui throughout the day Saturday.
“Every can, every dollar, every moment shared was a reminder that when we come together, hope grows stronger than hunger,” said Lansing, who is a Trumbull resident.
On Aug. 2, Refill the Pantry volunteers staffed both Stop & Shop entrances, seeking donations from the store’s patrons between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“Everyone was so gracious,” Lansing said. “We were collecting donations even after we shut down at 5 p.m. One family even returned to the store late in the afternoon, just before 5 p.m., donating five or six grocery bags of food — just incredible.”
Refill the Pantry’s next collection effort is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Stop & Shop at 100 Quality St. in Trumbull between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Remembrance of the flood
An appreciation ceremony will be held for the Department of Public Works, emergency services and town staff for their work in getting the Monroe back on its feet in the aftermath of last summer’s flash floods on Monday, Aug. 18, at the Monroe firehouse at 18 Shelton Road at 6 p.m.
“Join us in remembrance of the 1000 year flood that our town endured and how our outstanding staff rose above the call of duty for our Monroe community,” an email message from the town said.
Food will be provided by Carl Anthony’s Catering.
St. Jude Italian Festival
The St. Jude Italian Festival has rides from Stewart Amusements.
St. Jude Catholic Church’s annual Italian Festival will be held from Wednesday, Aug. 20, to Saturday, Aug. 23, on the parish grounds, 707 Monroe Turnpike. The festival will run from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
The St. Jude Italian Festival is known for the amusement rides, games, music, shopping and the food.
The food tent will have Italian fare from Jennie’s including pizza, cavatelli and broccoli, ziti, porketta, eggplant parm, chicken parm and meatball grinders.
Parishioners will grill hot dogs and hamburgers and prepare fries, chicken tenders, sausage and peppers and more.
The festival will also have a pizza fritta food truck, Italian pastries from Del Prete and Italian ice from Micalizzi. Music will be provided by JMG and rides and games by Stewart Amusements.
Back to School Party
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 466 Elm St., is hosting a Back to School Party on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. All are welcome to this free event to celebrate the end of summer with lawn games, hot dogs and drinks.
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Dining and Cooking