The Bethel Community Food Pantry was started in 1992 as the St. Thomas’ Food Pantry thanks to BJ Liberty and Marlene Lyons. Food donations were received from members of St. Thomas Church for distribution to those in need.

 

As the years went by, the food pantry connected with the Connecticut Food Bank and the United Way. John and Babette Thorson were the coordinators. The CT Food Bank continued to be a source of free or low cost food. In order to qualify for the CT Food Bank we were required to keep client records for those who are authorized to attend regularly. In addition, we sent monthly statistic reports to the Connecticut Food Bank. These authorizations came in the form of an SSI CONNECT card distributed by the State of CT social services. Also eligible were people who had authorization from local clergy who verified that there was an ongoing need for help with food. The pantry qualified for grants from the United Way of Western Connecticut and received grants for many years. These funds were used to purchase groceries at the Bethel Food Market.

 

Audrey Moverly took on the task as pantry coordinator from the Thorsons and served in that capacity until 2011. Fred Scipione took over the pantry coordinator’s job and served until 2019. Susan Pople took on the role of coordinator from Fred Scipione.

 

The donations to the food pantry widened to include donations from local churches in the form of food and grocery store gift cards. The Boy Scout Troop 71 in Bethel conducted their program of Scouting for Food. The postal workers food drive in the spring of every year has provided another source of non- perishable food. In the past six to seven years the pantry has been receiving regular donations of bread from Panera Bread through their Doughnation Program. Target has provided food and non-food donations on a weekly basis.

In 2014, due to a limited amount of food and an overwhelming number of clients from outside of Bethel, distribution was limited to residents of Bethel, CT.

 

In April of 2015, the St. Thomas’ Food Pantry transitioned to become the Bethel Community Food Pantry with a separate board of directors, budget and official status as a separate 501 C3 non-profit organization. The non-profit status became official in July of 2015.

 

The BCFP has worked hand in hand over the years with Brotherhood- in- Action. For the last 2 years, Brotherhood –in-Action has provided the Thanksgiving and Christmas distribution of food boxes to food pantry clients. The BCFP also works very closely with the Director of Social Services in Bethel.

 

The BCFP is recognized by the State of Connecticut as a 211 emergency food pantry.

 

In January of 2017, the pantry moved to a new location on the lower floor of the Bethel United Methodist Church at 141 Greenwood Ave. The BCFP’s move provided much more accesiblility, more storage available and more parking. Bus stops are still close by. The first pantry in the new location took place on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

The client list continues to grow. When the pantry moved to its present location in January of 2017 there were 25 qualifying families using the pantry. As of January 2020, there were over 160 families who qualified to use the pantry and there are between 85 and 90 families who attend the pantry monthly.

 

One of the biggest challenges for 2020 was the Corona Virus pandemic and our efforts to deal with the distribution of food and still keep our volunteers and clients safe using masks and social distancing. We distributed prepacked bags outside during the pouring rain, some really hot summer days, and Hurricane Isaias in August. As of May 2021 we have continued to distribute food twice a month as usual. Our community has been extremely generous with donations of money and food. We will to do our best to maintain this outreach in our community in partnership with Brotherhood in Action.

 

As of June 1, 2021 we were very pleased to be able to open the non-perishable food area to shopping once more. Clients are now able to choose their own non-perishable groceries, bakery and meat. Fresh produce continues to be pre-bagged and distributed outside. We are currently receiving produce food rescue from Stop and Shop in New Milford.

 

As of April 2021 pantry attendance has averaged between 45 – 55 families. There are about 190 families of the qualified list and we are still working with Brotherhood in Action to meet the food needs of our community.

2022 saw a rise once more in the number of clients who were regularly attending the pantry.

 

By the end of the year there were 140 registered families with 70 – 75 attending regularly. We have continued to receive generous cash and food donations so that we can provide healthy food options and many non-food products which our clients cannot purchase with their SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits.

 

We continue to be able to get some food at the Connecticut Foodshare food bank, but available items there have been greatly reduced so we are purchasing more food with gift cards and cash donations.

 

Over the years we have been blessed with a very faithful, hard working group of volunteers. At the beginning of 2023 we have about 45 regular volunteers.

​