Grand Opening of Town of Simsbury Food Pantry

The Town of Simsbury’s Department of Community and Social Services is excited to announce the grand opening of its new Food Pantry location, within The Shepherd of the Hills Evangelical Lutheran Church at 7 Wescott Road, Simsbury. A ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration will be held on Monday, May 16, 2022 from 5:30pm-7:00pm.

The Food Pantry, and its main distribution, “Cheese Day,” has existed since 1981, and its home has been Eno Memorial Hall.  Once a month, registered participants are invited to pick up non-perishable food items, toiletries and cleaning supplies, paper goods, and fresh produce. The community has been tremendously generous in helping to sustain Cheese Day. Due to the tremendous growth in the program, it is now too large to be held at Eno Memorial Hall.  The Town is grateful to have found new space and a new partnership with The Shepherd of the Hills Evangelical Lutheran Church.  The Department will have two large rooms that will be used for the Pantry.

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the Food Pantry and Cheese Day.  Prior to the pandemic, an average of 80 households were served per month, including 19 deliveries to home-bound individuals.  At the height of the pandemic, Cheese Day participation increased to an average of 140 households per month, including 34 deliveries to home-bound individuals. While these numbers have since decreased slightly, we are still averaging approximately 20 percent more participants than prior to the pandemic. We are now averaging 33 individuals, 39 families, 72 seniors, and 12 deliveries monthly.

In addition to distributing items, we also provided provide grocery gift cards to our participants.  With generous community donations, we were able to provide gift cards for more than a year. To date, we have purchased $53,215 in gift cards as well as $4,357 worth of produce to help support our clients’ food needs.  In the past year we have served a total of 193 households. 

Those interested in making donations to the pantry may drop them off in the drop box next to the side entrance of the church. Monetary donations can be sent to the Department of Community and Social Services, 754 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT, 06070. This program is a great volunteer opportunity for those who wish to get involved.  For questions or more information, including registration for the program, please call (860) 658-3283, email kformanek@simsbury-ct.gov, or visit https://www.simsbury-ct.gov/social-services.