Essential Family Services for Bridgeport Families
Community Supper
The second oldest of the formal outreach ministries of St. John's, the Tuesday night Community Supper began in 1983 as one of the first four Community Suppers in the city, organized by the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport. Over the last 36 years, St. John's has fed our guests every Tuesday night, providing over 5,000 meals last year. Assisted by various other congregations and synagogues, this activity depends upon an enormous number of volunteers and volunteer hours.
We open our doors from 5-6pm on Tuesdays, when a dedicated group of volunteers prepare and serve a hot, nutritious meal. We also provide meals to go.
Everyone is welcome at these essential family services, and we offer a warm and accepting environment. We provide a nutritious meal for those financially in need, those who often eat alone, and those who would enjoy a good meal and good company. Our guests are single people, families with children, single-parent families, and seniors. Everyone in any stage of life is welcome to join us every Tuesday. We usually serve between 50 to 75 guests each week.
We have many opportunities for you to help us provide food for our neighbors facing daily food insecurity right here in the heart of Bridgeport.
We receive donations of meals from churches, synagogues, school groups, individuals and families. Individuals and groups do the cooking and serving, as well as donate the food for each meal.
Community Supper Wish List
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Heavy-duty paper plates
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Plastic forks/spoons
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Napkins
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Salad dressing/croutons
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Soft granola/breakfast bars
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Individual bags of chips
Please contact us by email or phone at (203) 335-2999 if you would like to donate or help in any way you can.
Food Pantry
SJFC receives between 5,000 and 6,000 lbs. of food every week from CT Foodshare and our dedicated volunteers help us unload and store the provisions received in our pantry
The food pantry is open from 9am-12pm on Saturday mornings and serves between 180-200 families every week.
No one should have to worry about putting food on the table. Our volunteer-run and operated food pantry assists families in meeting their basic food needs.
Our Food Pantry utilizes a “shopper’s choice” model, allowing our guests a dignified experience with the use of a shopping cart and the ability to select the items they need.
We have a large pantry stocked with fresh produce, meat and dairy, as well as bread and basic dried goods. The pantry is also supported by food drives organized by local parishes, congregations and schools.
We always ensure a well-stocked diaper bank and occasionally carry small household products and toiletries, all of which are generously donated to us by the public and local businesses.
SJFC also supplements provisions from CT Foodshare with additional purchases of fresh food such as bananas and eggs, and other items not readily available.
Our pantry provides about 40 lbs. of food to each client per week.
Food Pantry Wish List
Breakfast grains:
Cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, etc.
Dinner grains:
Rice, pasta, quinoa, cous-cous, etc.
Proteins:
Dried beans, nuts, canned chicken/tuna, etc.
Shelf-stable dairy:
Boxed or dried milk; canned coconut, evaporated, or condensed milk
The food pantry is in the basement of
Sanford House located at 1067 Park Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604. Please contact us by email or phone at (203) 335-2999 to set up a drop-off appointment.
Clothes Closet
The Clothes Closet is open on Tuesdays in conjunction with the Community Supper and provides free clothing to individuals and families in need, ensuring everyone has access to essential clothing needs regardless of their financial situation.
This program helps to alleviate some of the financial burden on low-income families, allowing them to allocate limited resources on other essential needs such as food, housing, and healthcare.
Access to appropriate and well-fitting clothing boosts self-esteem and confidence, which is particularly important for children in school and adults seeking employment.
Our Clothes Closet encourages the recycling and reuse of clothing, reducing waste and promoting sustainability within the community.
Our closet exists entirely through the efforts of our volunteers and strong partnerships with local consignment shops.
We are always very happy to receive new or gently used clothing and shoes. Due to limited space, we kindly ask that you refrain from dropping off donations of furniture, household goods and toys or books.
We appreciate any help to connect us not only with donors, but also people in need.
The clothes closet is on the 1st floor of Sanford House located at 1067 Park Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604. Please contact us by email or phone at (203) 335-2999 to set up a drop-off appointment.
Diaper Assistance Program
SJFC’s Diaper Assistance Program helps to support young families by providing diaper bundles which reduces the stress and anxiety associated with the high cost of diapering, which is a significant expense for many low-income families.
Free diapers helps families allocate their limited resources to other critical needs such as food, housing, and healthcare.
The program is particularly beneficial for single parents, unemployed families, and those experiencing temporary financial hardships, providing a safety net during tough times.
The program exists through the donations of our supporters and diaper drives conducted at local parishes and congregations.
We are currently serving about 40 young families per week.