Monroe Gives Back: How To Make A Difference This Season And Beyond

Giving Tuesday is all about generosity — and some of the most meaningful giving happens right here at home. Celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday shifts the focus from finding deals to doing good. But there’s no reason to wait — or stop once the day has passed.

This year, Patch and T-Mobile are spotlighting organizations in the Monroe area that are making a difference and helping others in need. These local groups are doing important work, and there are plenty of ways to support them — from donating and volunteering to spreading the word. This isn’t a complete list, but it’s a great place to start, so be sure to reach out to each organization directly to learn how you can help.

Monroe Food Pantry

The Monroe Food Pantry provides emergency food assistance for individuals and families facing food insecurity in Monroe, offering a week’s worth of food per month using a client-choice model. Volunteers help sort food, stock shelves, assist clients in “shopping” and deliver food to home-bound clients. Monetary and in-kind donations also help fuel the pantry's mission.
Learn more: monroect.gov/p/food-pantry

Webb Mountain Discovery Zone

This 170-acre park and outdoor learning center in Monroe invites volunteers for park maintenance, trail work, event staffing and garden maintenance (e.g., the Susan Kimball Butterfly Garden). Donations are also welcome, with funds being used to maintain the park and provide children's programming.
Learn more: webbmountaindiscoveryzone.wildapricot.org

Aspetuck Land Trust

Serving the region, including Monroe, Easton, Weston and beyond, this land-trust organization protects open space, manages trails and preserves native habitats. Volunteer opportunities include trail stewardship, invasive species control, blueberry bush pruning and plant-sale support.
Learn more: aspetucklandtrust.org

Center for Family Justice

Based in Bridgeport and serving Monroe and surrounding towns, this organization provides free, confidential, trauma-informed services for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Volunteers can help with administrative tasks, outreach events and food and toiletry drives.
Learn more: centerforfamilyjustice.org

United Way of Greater Waterbury

Based in nearby Waterbury, this regional United Way organization offers ongoing and one-time volunteer opportunities across the region. You can sign up individually or as part of a group for a variety of community service initiatives (education, financial stability, basic needs).
Learn more: unitedwaygw.org

Edith Wheeler Memorial Library

The Edith Wheeler Memorial Library in Monroe welcomes volunteers (aged 14 and up) to assist with shelving, program support, patron assistance and other library services. Those interested in contributing financially can make a one-time donation or become a member of the Friends of the Library.
Learn more: ewml.org

Monroe Volunteer EMS

This volunteer EMS team provides the residents of Monroe and the surrounding areas with pre-hospital emergency medical care, advanced life support services and transportation to medical care facilities. Those who have (or are willing to pursue) EMT/EMR certification are encouraged to submit a membership application; support roles are also available.
Learn more: monroevems.org

Monroe Farmers Market

The Monroe Farmers’ Market relies on volunteers to keep market-day operations running smoothly and support local Connecticut farmers and producers. Volunteers help package online pre-orders for customer pickup, using pre-printed lists to gather and verify items from multiple vendors before staging them by customer name. The market runs every Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with two-hour volunteer shifts.
Learn more: monroefarmersmarket.org

Give back in whatever way feels right for you — together, we can make an impact in Monroe.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.