November began with terrifying news, for SNAP (food stamp) recipients in Westport and elsewhere.
The government shutdown meant the loss of benefits. How would they feed themselves, and their families?
As in communities across the country, residents rode to the rescue.
Homes with Hope, Rotary Clubs, Staples Service League of Boys, Scouts and other organizations swung into action. Donations of food and funds poured in. Pantries were filled; extra meals were served. No one went hungry.
Homes with Hope food pantry volunteers.
But food insecurity is not over.
“As we head into the holiday season, many Westport households are quietly struggling to put food on the table,” says Department of Human Services director Elaine Daignault.
“It’s a silent struggle — one marked by isolation and worry —that often goes unseen in a community like ours. We are extraordinarily grateful for the Westport residents and organizations who step up year after year to support families who might otherwise go without.”
Several households receiving assistance expressed deep appreciation for programs that allow them to participate in the holiday without fear of stigma.
One parent said, “I never imagined needing help, and it was so hard to ask. The fact that everything is handled privately made it possible for me to say yes. My kids had a real Thanksgiving because of this community.”
Another resident noted, “The support comes quietly and respectfully. It reminds me that I’m not alone—and that this town truly cares.”
Staples High School’s AWARE Club helps make Thanksgiving joyful for local families.
In the past year alone:
- The Westport Woman’s Club provided $11,000 in grocery gift cards to 144 households for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hannukah, enabling families to purchase foods most meaningful to them.
- The Club’s food closet also plays a vital role year-round. So far this month alone, it distributed over $2,500 in groceries and gift cards to Human Services beneficiaries.
- The Westport Senior Center partnered with the Friends of the Senior Center, Westport Woman’s Club and Calise’s Food Market to ensure that homebound older adults and adults with disabilities receive special catered holiday meals.
- Dozens of Senior Center volunteers help serve lunch, and warmly greet guests, every day.
- Coleytown Middle School held its annual Giving Assembly. Students and staff contributed $1,695 in gift cards, plus 55 bags of Thanksgiving foods and breakfast staples.
- Coleytown Elementary School and Stepping Stones Preschool created heartfelt Thanksgiving cards for Senior Center participants.
- Temple Israel’s Early Childhood Center donated 70 pies, shared among Human Services, Homes with Hope and the Westport Housing Authority.
- As “06880” reported earlier, the Westport Firefighters Charitable Fund donated 1,000 turkeys to Bridgeport residents; A&S Fine Foods prepared Thanksgiving meals for dozens more, while residents added pies to the meals; Homes with Hope oversaw efforts that provided Thanksgiving dinner to more than 2,500 local residents.
- Gault donated 10 turkeys to local families.
“These acts of kindness mean that many Westporters — who may be overlooked or too hesitant to seek assistance — will feel seen, supported and included this holiday,” Daignault says.
Still, this is just the start of the winter.
Throughout the next months, Daignault says, her department will “remain focused on basic needs such as heating assistance, food resources, and the added pressures families face when school is out and children are home.”
Assistance with fuel costs is important for some local residents.
Up next: Westport’s Holiday Giving Program. It will support over 150 children from 90 families (and counting). The assistance helps parents provide a few meaningful gifts, and adequate food during the holidays and school break.
Residents can click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Select a program or cause to support — or give to the area of greatest need. 100% of all donations go directly to Westport residents.
Questions? Call 203-341-1050, or email humansrv@westportct.gov.