Thanks to a generous community, Saturday’s food drive yielded about twice as much as last year’s, said Mary Ellen Depue, who oversees operations at Shepherd’s Corner.

 

The effort brought in enough non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies and personal care products to completely stock the shelves of the facility's newest addition – and still have a surplus.

 

“It was wonderful,” Depue said. “Everything went very smoothly and we got a tremendous amount of food. Our shelves were really empty. I can’t remember them ever being down so low, but now we’re pretty well stocked.”

 

Members of GFWC Woman’s Club of Bridgeport and Bridgeport Lions Club joined Bridgeport firefighters at Bridgeport Fire Department Saturday morning to make a plan for collection. Residents had been asked to leave canned goods and other non-perishables on their front porch by 10 a.m. There was a strategy to the pick-up, said Ruth Allen of GFWC Woman’s Club of Bridgeport.

 

“About four years ago, the city gave me a large map of the streets and so I scanned different areas and divided it into 20 different routes,” she said. “Each group chose some routes to cover.”

 

The items were retrieved by volunteers and dropped off at Shepherd’s Corner, where more volunteers unloaded and sorted. Among those individuals were members of Cub Scout Pack 39, Den 1. 

 

“They were so helpful,” Depue said. “Their little legs carried a lot.”

 

In addition to the cub scouts, their leaders and some family members, representatives of Fellowship Bible Church were part of the organization effort.

 

That end of the food drive also took some careful planning. Volunteers placed cans of beans, boxes of pasta, soups and various other items in marked crates.

 

The action was constant for more than two hours.

 

“We finished up around 12:30 p.m. and then the sprinkles began,” Allen said. “The good Lord was with us.”

 

Monday morning, Shepherd’s Corner volunteers finished organizing, placing the items on the shelves. They were still smiling about the success of the food drive.

 

Some residents left a few cans of food. Others left several bags of food. Combined, their efforts filled a big need, said Bob Boyer.

 

The inventory should last throughout the winter season, said Jack Sylvania.

 

Shepherd’s Corner fills between 15 and 20 standing orders per month and also receives several emergency food orders. With the holidays around the corner – and the fact that more people have become aware of Shepherd’s Corner – the coming weeks promise to be very busy. Cash donations will be used to purchase perishable items such as bread, butter and meat. As a rule, Shepherd’s Corner spends $400 to $500 per month on those items, Depue said.

 

Allen said not every street was covered. If someone was missed – or if they just want to join the effort - items can still be dropped off at Shepherd’s Corner during operating hours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday or anytime at Bridgeport Fire Department. 

 

Every volunteer interviewed wanted members of the community to know how much their donations are appreciated. 

 

Shepherd’s Corner also provides clothing, housewares, books and other items to those in need. 

 

Photos taken during the event will be forthcoming on Connect-Bridgeport. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured above are Jack Sylvania, Karen Lang and Bob Boyer, Shepherd's Corner volunteers. Pictured below is Ruth Allen, who reported on the food drive at Monday night's Bridgeport City Council meeting. Her report was very well received and Council extended appreciation to all organizations and volunteers involved, as well as all contributors.