Tag Archives: Bridgeport Rescue Mission

Woman’s Club Grants Go To Groups With COVID Need

Posted on April 20, 2020 | 4 comments

Since 1907 — 10 years before the Spanish flu pandemic – the Westport Woman’s Club has served Westport.

They’ve done too many good things for the town to list (click here for the “History” page).

Just one example: Westport’s Visiting Nurse Service was started and funded by the club. Free dental, vaccination and well-child clinics;tuberculosis campaigns; free milk distribution; polio tests; a lending service of sickroom equipment – all were begun by the WWC.

Each year the club evaluates applications for Community Service Grants from nonprofit organizations in Fairfield County. Members volunteer many hours from October through spring, finding the right balance between needs and the WWC’s mission to support nearby charitable, educational, cultural and public health services.

At the end of this year’s cycle, COVID-19 roared through town. Club members wondered how they could now make the biggest impact for the most people in Fairfield County. They realized that the public health, and physical and mental well-being of residents, should take precedence in the spring grants.

Today they announce 5 non-profits, to share $50,000 in WWC Community Service Grants.

Bridgeport Rescue Mission provides 3 meals a day in containers; a mobile kitchen that distributes meals in South Norwalk and Bridgeport, and a food pantry, among many other services. All food programs are free to anyone who is hungry, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion or socioeconomic group.

 

Filling in the Blanks. Schools offer weekday lunches for children in need. This organization provides them on weekends for vulnerable children in Norwalk, Stamford, Greenwich and Westport.

Westport Families in Need (coordinated by Westport’s Department of Human Services). Funds are needed for food and requests for help, like rent money, which are increasing rapidly. Some families need gas cards to pick up school meals. A town COVID fund addresses those issues, as well as the mental health needs of people affected by the crisis.

Domestic Violence Crisis Center (Stamford and Norwalk). In stressful times, domestic violence increases. DVCC offers 24/7 crisis intervention, counseling and advocacy, safe housing, and a 24-hour hotline (888-774-2900).

Homes with Hope. The demands of this Westport nonprofit — which provides safe emergency shelter, as well as food assistance — have greatly increased during the coronavirus.

Project Return’s “Susie’s House,” on North Compo Road. All residents — and those at other supportive housing facilities, like the Gillespie Center — have been moved into local hotels, during the coronavirus. That’s another financial burden for Homes with Hope

The Westport Woman’s Club has not been immune to the pandemic’s effects. They’ve suspended all fundraisers (like the Art Show, originally scheduled for this weekend), closed their Curio Cottage Gift Shop, and lost rental income through the closing of their Bedford Hall meeting space.

Anyone wishing to support the 113-year-old club’s good works can do so through the newly designed website (click here).

One good thing from all this time at home: Members had a chance to create an Instagram account. You can follow the club: @westportwomansclub.

Westport Woman’s Club, 44 Imperial Avenue.

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Unsung Hero #60

Posted on August 8, 2018 | 8 comments

Andrew Colabella is a big fan of Lizzy Feeley.

No — make that a HUGE fan.

He writes:

Lizzy demonstrates the qualities of a true leader, and an ability to make others smile while positively affecting their lives.

She started her tireless efforts on holidays and weekends with St. Luke’s Youth Group and Grace Community Church in 8th grade.

She volunteered to clean up the yard of a family who recently lost their father. She felt fulfilled, and vowed to continue.

When Lizzy entered Staples she spent weekends, holidays and nights through St. Luke’s and Grace Community Church working on many different projects.

Lizzy Feeley

But Lizzy wanted to do more — to break the bubble, go beyond Westport into the  real world and help those not as fortunate. She lights up those in a dark and low place, stuck and in need of help.

Lizzy started at the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, serving hot meals to the homeless and helping put together a plan to serve people in its rehabilitation program. She also volunteered with “Kid Power,” tutoring 1st graders.

Lizzy has made a strong impact on over 100 youths and adults — those in need of help, who felt lonely and not special. Lizzy paid it forward, and then some.

Lizzy also joined the Tim Tebow Foundation, focused mostly on people with special needs. For the past 2 years Lizzy volunteered at the “Night To Shine” prom, doing teenagers’ hair and makeup, allowing them to enjoy a special event.

Lizzy graduated early, to get a head start on her degree in comprehensive special education at Norwalk Community College. She is ahead of schedule to enter the University of Connecticut, where she will earn her bachelors degree before turning 21.

As an RTM member, I had the pleasure of meeting Lizzy at a Board of Education meeting on a cold Monday night. She had midterms the the next day, but spoke on behalf of 5 girls. She was protecting the vulnerable, and advocating for those who could not defend themselves after being ostracized by peers.

I have never met a young teenager like Lizzy, who turned into a young adult with such dedication, perseverance, passion, creativity and integrity,

Lizzy has given back since 8th grade. Now let’s give her the push to do more — and give recognition of her many hundred hours of community service to her town and the entire county.

Done! Congratulations, Lizzy Feeley — you’re this week’s Unsung Hero!

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Posted in Organizations, religion, Staples HS, Teenagers, Unsung Heroes

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A Farmers’ Market Tale

Posted on May 18, 2017 | 4 comments

Today, the Westport Farmers’ Market begins its 12th season.

Its growth — from tentative beginnings in the Westport Country Playhouse parking lot, to a vibrant, beloved and very popular Imperial Avenue Thursday tradition — is remarkable.

A typical scene at the Westport Farmers’ Market.

Every shopper, farmer and vendor has their own story about what the Market means to them.

But none is more remarkable than this.

Each week, the Bridgeport Rescue Mission selects men to pick up extra food. They bring the produce, bread and more back to the center, where chefs make meals. They also offer recipes to folks who pick up the food that’s not cooked.

The honor to be selected to gather the goods is reserved for men who are winning their battles against alcohol or drug addiction.

Two helpers from the Bridgeport Rescue Mission pick up produce at the Westport Farmers’ Market. (Photo courtesy of CTBites.com)

“These guys are great,” says WFM director Lori Cochran-Dougall. “We get to know them well. They’re so supportive of our staff and the vendors. They stay, they help us break down the tents, they do so much for us.”

Last year, one man came every Thursday. He was excited about graduating from the Rescue Mission. But he worried he might not find a job.

At the end of the market season last November, he still did not have one. Cochran contacted a few area restaurants.

One hired him. But she didn’t know it …

… until a couple of weeks ago, when she and her husband went out for dinner at a Barcelona group restaurant.

The man approached her. He told her he was working there.

He added that he goes to church every Sunday. He has his own apartment.

And he got married.

Joyfully, he showed her pictures of his new life.

As Cochran left, the restaurant manager pulled her aside.

“All he keeps saying,” the manager said, “is that the Farmers’ Market gave him hope things would work out.”

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Posted in Categories, Environment, Organizations, People, Restaurants

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A Very Humane Story

Posted on August 7, 2011 | 2 comments

The Westport Humane Society has taken some hits lately — right here on “06880.”

So it’s nice to hear this story from alert reader Lori Cochran, director of the Westport Farmers’ Market.

Lori also volunteers at the Humane Society.  Staff members there know the Market collects food for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission and Westport Gillespie Center.

Last week, a Humane Society staffer named Mindy pointed out the Humane Society’s 2 raised beds, used to grow vegetables and herbs to feed rabbits.

Mindy wondered if the Humane Society could harvest them for donation to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission at the Thursday Farmers’ Market.

Could they?  Of course!

“How cool, right?” Lori writes.

“At a time when every non-profit is looking inward at how they will survive, the Humane Society thought about how it can help others.  To me, that is the definition of community.”

And, Lori notes, there are no rabbits at the shelter now.  So no bunnies were harmed in the making of this donation.

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Farmers’ Market Comes In From The Cold

Posted on December 7, 2010 | 7 comments

If the term “farmers’ market” conjures up images of outdoor tables laden with fresh tomatoes and corn, you haven’t paid attention to the local sustainable food movement.

It’s year-round now.  And even that summertime staple, the Westport Farmers’ Market, is going 24/7/365.  Or at least 3/1/365.

They’ve teamed up with Gilbertie’s Herb Garden to provide “the hottest winter farmers’ market around” (ho ho ho).  Starting this Thursday (Dec. 9), and continuing every week through March 31, the Farmers’ Market will be open at 7 Sylvan Lane.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It wouldn’t be a farmers’ market — at least not in Westport — without organic vegetables, greenhouse greens, eggs, milk, indoor plants, tamales (of course), wood-fired pizza (ditto), cheese, baked goods, pork, chicken, lamb, beef, gluten-free options, raw food choices, and more.

More than 25 vendors have signed on — and so have “this area’s hottest chefs.”  Boxcar Cantina, the Dressing Room, Fat Cat Pie, Le Farm, Schoolhouse and Skinny Pines will provide lunch items, and prepared food to bring home.

Those chefs were not chosen randomly.  All provide local, healthy, environmental and sustainable food in their restaurants.

The Farmers’ Market will also feature a lecture, short class or tour.  Topics range from making a holiday wreath to determining the best soil for your plant.

As it does during the summer, the Westport Farmers’ Market will donate food to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.  “Chef Paul” will prepare weekly meals, and offer a shopping day for those in need with donated goods.  Anyone attending the Market can donate too.

So, the weather outside may be frightful.  But let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.  You can still get your organic veggies, greenhouse greens and Farmers’ Market tamales right here in Westport, all winter long.

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Posted in Environment, Local business, Organizations

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Farmers’ Market To The Rescue

Posted on September 17, 2010 | 9 comments

The Bridgeport Rescue Mission feeds 40,000 people a month.  To the working poor, homeless and chemically dependent people who stream through its doors, the mission is literally a life-saver.

40,000 people need a lot of food.  Most of it is donated by area churches, community group and individuals.

One very important partner is the Westport Farmers’ Market.

According to the CTbites blog, Farmers’ Market manager Lori Cochran Dougall searched for a long time for a Fairfield County shelter that would accept vendors’ unsold produce at the end of the day.  But issues ranging from potential food spoilage to funding restrictions prevented her from helping.

Chef Paul Byron. (Photo courtesy of CTBites.com)

Finally, someone referred her to chef Paul Byron of the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.  He immediately sent a truck, with 2 residents, to Westport for a Thursday 2 p.m. pickup.

Word spread at the Farmers’ Market.  The 2 p.m. pickup is now a regular event.

The impact of Westport’s weekly donation of fresh produce is enormous.  CTbites quotes mission executive cirector Reverend Terry Wilcox:

Because we prepare and serve food  every day, spoilage is not an issue.  Chef Paul’s passion to feed the hungry allows him to take all of the food in.  He puts it all to good use.  With only 50% of kids in Bridgeport graduating from high school, better nutrition through fresh food is vital to their growing and being able to learn.

Thanks to the Westport Farmers’ Market, at 3 p.m. each Thursday — just 1 hour after the food has been picked up — fresh produce is available to anyone stopping by the mission.  It’s displayed on long dining tables; guests select as many fresh fruits and vegetables as they can fit in 1 grocery bag.

Cochran Dougall’s impact on the Bridgeport Rescue Mission extends far beyond the produce donation.  She recently helped secure a $70,000 grant from a couple in Jackson Hole.

Cochran Dougall told CTbites:

My husband and I attended a a 70th birthday celebration  in honor of our good friend, Foster Friess.  In lieu of gifts, he requested that each guest propose an organization that would benefit from a $70,000 donation.  We made our case for why the Bridgeport Mission needed these funds so desperately.  We fully expected him to choose one recipient.  Instead, he awarded each of the proposed organizations the same generous amount!

Two helpers from the Bridgeport Rescue Mission pick up produce at the Westport Farmers' Market. (Photo courtesy of CTBites.com)

The mission returns the favor.  According to Cochran Dougall,  one Thursday the weather suddenly turned wildly windy and rainy.  Two men who make regular pickup runs stayed with her until all of the vendors’ tents were dismantled.

They didn’t want her to be alone.

Thanks to Cochran Dougall and the Westport Farmers’ Market, thousands of men, women and children in Bridgeport are not alone — and hungry — either.

(The Westport Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through November 18.  It’s located at the Imperial Avenue parking lot, near the Westport Woman’s Club.)

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