Town Of Glastonbury: Glastonbury Food Pantry Receives Phenomenal Support During SNAP Crisis

Press release from the Town of Glastonbury:

11/17/2025 9:32 AM

The Town of Glastonbury extends its deepest appreciation to the community for the overwhelming response to support the Food Pantry during the recent lapse in SNAP funding. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Glastonbury community, the Town successfully and expeditiously collected and provided food to eligible residents while they awaited decisions and issuance of federal funding. Despite an extremely limited planning window, the Town collected an astounding volume of non-perishable donations that were quickly processed and provided to citizens through two emergency food distribution events. An initial distribution event was held on Saturday, November 8th at the Riverfront Community Center (RCC), and a second event was held on the following Wednesday for folks who were unable to attend the prior. (See attached photos below of the emergency food distribution event held at the RCC on November 8, 2025.) The remarkable inventory of food was a result of donations from individuals and families, as well as groups that organized independent food drives at Glastonbury schools, polling places, local businesses, and social events.

Evelyn Lopez, Glastonbury Outreach Social Work Supervisor, expressed her appreciation to everyone who helped make this effort possible. “We are so grateful for every individual, family, organization, and group who donated, volunteered, and otherwise supported this collaborative effort. Thanks to the incredible response from this community, residents were able to shop for the items they needed to sustain their family’s food security while they awaited their SNAP funds.” Non-perishable food donations are continuing to pour into the Riverfront Community Center daily, with expanded storage necessary to accommodate the growing inventory.

Despite this inspiring community support, Glastonbury residents continue to rely upon Town assistance services for essential needs. Furthermore, a decrease in federal funding for existing fuel assistance programs is regrettably anticipated this winter. To that end, residents who are interested in continuing to support their neighbors are invited to make a monetary donation to Glastonbury Gives, the umbrella program that encompasses the fuel bank, food pantry, and other assistance programs. Through financial donations, the Town can direct funds to serve real-time needs – whether that is oil for home heating, food, or other critical resources. Generous donations can be made online through PayPal, (be sure to select “Glastonbury Gives” from the drop-down menu), or by check mailed to the Riverfront Community Center at 300 Welles Street. Please make checks payable to the Town of Glastonbury and note “Glastonbury Gives” in the memo line.

Additional information about Town assistance programs and opportunities to support these efforts can be found on the Town website at www.glastonburyct.gov/glastonburygives. Together, we can help ensure that our community members have access to essential needs and resources. Thank you again to our amazing community for your ongoing generosity and willingness to help your neighbors.

The Town of Glastonbury extends its deepest appreciation to the community for the overwhelming response to support the Food Pantry during the recent lapse in SNAP funding. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Glastonbury community, the Town successfully and expeditiously collected and provided food to eligible residents while they awaited decisions and issuance of federal funding. Despite an extremely limited planning window, the Town collected an astounding volume of non-perishable donations that were quickly processed and provided to citizens through two emergency food distribution events. An initial distribution event was held on Saturday, November 8th at the Riverfront Community Center (RCC), and a second event was held on the following Wednesday for folks who were unable to attend the prior. (See attached photos below of the emergency food distribution event held at the RCC on November 8, 2025.) The remarkable inventory of food was a result of donations from individuals and families, as well as groups that organized independent food drives at Glastonbury schools, polling places, local businesses, and social events.

Evelyn Lopez, Glastonbury Outreach Social Work Supervisor, expressed her appreciation to everyone who helped make this effort possible. “We are so grateful for every individual, family, organization, and group who donated, volunteered, and otherwise supported this collaborative effort. Thanks to the incredible response from this community, residents were able to shop for the items they needed to sustain their family’s food security while they awaited their SNAP funds.” Non-perishable food donations are continuing to pour into the Riverfront Community Center daily, with expanded storage necessary to accommodate the growing inventory.

Despite this inspiring community support, Glastonbury residents continue to rely upon Town assistance services for essential needs. Furthermore, a decrease in federal funding for existing fuel assistance programs is regrettably anticipated this winter. To that end, residents who are interested in continuing to support their neighbors are invited to make a monetary donation to Glastonbury Gives, the umbrella program that encompasses the fuel bank, food pantry, and other assistance programs. Through financial donations, the Town can direct funds to serve real-time needs – whether that is oil for home heating, food, or other critical resources. Generous donations can be made online through PayPal, (be sure to select “Glastonbury Gives” from the drop-down menu), or by check mailed to the Riverfront Community Center at 300 Welles Street. Please make checks payable to the Town of Glastonbury and note “Glastonbury Gives” in the memo line.

Additional information about Town assistance programs and opportunities to support these efforts can be found on the Town website at www.glastonburyct.gov/glastonburygives. Together, we can help ensure that our community members have access to essential needs and resources. Thank you again to our amazing community for your ongoing generosity and willingness to help your neighbors.

This press release was produced by the Town of Glastonbury. The views expressed here are the author’s own.