The Westport Woman’s Club is 118 years young. It was founded in 1907, by a small group of residents who wanted to clean the muddy, manure-filled streets, plant trees and install sidewalks.
For well over a century, they’ve done much, much more.
For nearly half of that time — starting 50 years ago this month — that includes running a food pantry.
In March of 1975 — under the leadership of “Mrs. Neil Croarkin” — the non-profit’s board established a food closet.
Wendy McKeon and Kim Reichert picked up the cause, and led it for many years. Many volunteers dedicated countless hours to the project, too.
Working with Westport’s Department of Human Services, the WWC provides hundreds of bags of groceries each year, and Stop & Shop gift cards, to individuals and families facing food insecurity.
WWC members contribute canned and packaged food goods throughout the year.
Every May, the US Postal Service holds a townwide canned food drive. Many WWC volunteers unload the postal trucks at their Imperial Avenue clubhouse.
Westport Woman’s Club.
Local schools also organize food drives, to help the Woman’s Club.
Club members sort and shelve all the contributed food. When they are contacted by Human Services, they pack bags with a variety of goods, and deliver it to Town Hall for pickup by those who requested it. Recipients are anonymous to the Westport Woman’s Club.
Congratulations and thanks to the Westport Woman’s Club, and its food pantry volunteers. For 50 years, you’ve been unsung heroes!
To donate to the WWC food closet, click here. For information on the Westport Woman’s Club’s April 5 spring gala (6 p.m., Patterson Club, Fairfield), emceed by Scott Foley and with music, a live auction and much more, click here.)
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)