Food Programs

Simsbury Community & Social Services maintains a stocked food pantry of non-perishable food items as well as toiletries, household cleaning products, and paper goods.

Simsbury’s Food Pantry is located at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 7 Wescott Road, Simsbury CT.

Eligible residents are able to use the Food Pantry once a month, during our scheduled Cheese Day. If you need food more frequently, please contact the office for further assistance.

TO REGISTER FOR THE PANTRY

Simsbury, West Simsbury, Tariffville & Weatogue residents can register for the Food Pantry by calling Rachael Loveland at (860) 658-3283 or emailing rloveland@simsbury-ct.gov to schedule an appointment. You will be asked to bring the following documentation to the appointment:

- Utility bill in your name documenting residency
- Four most recent weeks of income for every person 18+ in the household.  This includes earned, unearned, benefits, and virtual monies (paystubs, Social Security, pension, unemployment, child support, alimony, PayPal, Bitcoin, etc.).
- Most recent bank statement for all open accounts for every person 18+ in the household

During your appointment you will be asked to complete a Household Declaration of Need Form (CT-NAP) issued annually by Connecticut Foodshare. This form must be completed annually; renewals will be conducted during the month of June of each year.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Cheese Day, our food distribution, is typically held on the second Tuesday of each month. Participants are scheduled for shopping appointments at 15-minute intervals. If Cheese Day falls on a holiday, or there is a closure of Town buildings due to a weather event, it will be rescheduled to an alternate week. 

Pantry bags will be provided to you, for you to bring each time.  At your appointment you will be able to select your items, and receive fresh produce.

Residents who meet income guidelines, are eligible to be a Pantry participant, and meet the legal definition of being homebound, may receive a monthly delivery of their Pantry items. This is a volunteer-based service and relies on the availability of volunteers.  Deliveries will not be made if Cheese Day is cancelled due to a weather event.

PANTRY DONATIONS

For a list of most-needed items, and ongoing needs, please click on the "Food Pantry Donations Needed" link on the left side of this page, in the blue box. We gladly accept donations of non-perishable, unexpired food items, toiletries, household cleaning products, and paper goods.

We cannot accept perishable items, expired items, opened items, or clothing. 

Smaller donations may conveniently be dropped off in the “Simsbury Food Pantry Donation” bin located outside the church, near the door on the right-hand side of the church.  Please do call us at (860) 658-3283 to alert us of your donation.

For large food donations, please call us in advance to schedule a drop-off time.  This will help to ensure that staff is available to assist you. Please remember that this is not a staffed location, and flexibility may be needed to accommodate deliveries.

If you are looking to donate seasonal, gently used clothing, please contact Diane Whittmore at whittemorediane@yahoo.com.

FINANCIAL DONATIONS

Financial donations are greatly needed to maintain the food pantry.

Checks may be sent to the following address. On the memo line of the check, please indicate "Food Pantry".     
                           Simsbury Community & Social Services
                           754 Hopmeadow Street
                           Simsbury, CT 06070

When making your donations, please make sure to include a note with your name, address, and any relevant information so we may properly thank you!

PLANNING TO HOST A FOOD DRIVE?

Please contact our office and speak to Rachael Loveland. We would be happy to provide a list of “most needed” items.  We can also provide you with some suggestions on different themes for your food drive.

Hunger exists all year long, and the Simsbury Food Pantry is happy to accept your food donations. Consider hosting a food drive during the Spring and Summer, as typically donations are lower during those months.

OTHER LOCAL FOOD RESOURCES

Connecticut Foodshare Mobile: Biweekly distribution of perishables that comes to Simsbury & other local towns. Text FOODSHARE to 85511 or call (860) 856-4321 to find out the most up-to-date schedule, or click this link to view their schedule: https://www.ctfoodshare.org/find-help/

Gifts of Love, Avon CT: Individual referrals can be made for supplemental services on a case-by-case basis.  For information, click this link: https://giftsoflovect.org/

Healing Meals Community Project: Healing Meals prepares and delivers organic, nutrient-rich meals for individuals and their entire families during a health crisis. Uniquely, all meals are prepared by youth volunteers working alongside Adult Mentors and an Executive Chef, and then delivered by volunteers.  For information, click this link: https://healingmealsproject.org/

Lasagna Love: Lasagna Love is a global nonprofit and grassroots movement that aims to positively impact communities by connecting neighbors with neighbors through homemade meal delivery; and to eliminate stigmas associated with asking for help when it is needed most.  For information, click this link: https://www.lasagnalove.org/

Meals on Wheels: Offers home-delivered meals to older adults and people with temporary or permanent disabilities who are homebound. This program is run out of McLean Care in Simsbury.  No one is turned down due to an inability to pay.  For information, call (860) 658-3980.

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church: Monday Night Hot Dog Dinners (seasonal).

Waste Not, Want Not Kitchen: Free, weekly meals each Wednesday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at 242 Salmon Brook Road, Granby CT. For information, click this link: http://www.wnwnkitchen.org/