Southington Eateries To 'Plate It Forward' For The Food Insecure

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Organizers of a special food-sharing initiative in Southington are urging folks to go out to eat locally and then buy a meal for someone who cannot afford to do so.

The project is called "Plate It Forward Southington" and it is a restaurant-based food-sharing project based upon the pay-it-forward model of giving.

It is celebrating its first anniversary with six participating restaurants locally.

The way "Plate it Forward" works is people have the option to purchase a meal for an anonymous, food-insecure individual, with the receipt going up on a bulletin board in participating eateries.

Then, clients of area social service agencies can visit the restaurant, grab a receipt, and enjoy a meal courtesy of their anonymous benefactor.

This project was launched in Southington in early 2023 as a collaboration among "The Friday Morning Breakfast Club," which is a business networking group; The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain; and Bread for Life, a Southington-based social services agency working to end food insecurity.

In honor of their first anniversary on Sunday, March 3, the FMBC is organizing "Plate It Forward Southington Week," which runs from March 3-10.

During this week the group is working to raise awareness of the project and how neighbors can help neighbors who are facing food insecurity.

Participating restaurants are Fancy Bagels; Paul Gregory’s Bistro Cafe; a locally owned Chick-Fil-A; Fancy Bagels Xpress, Lions Den Coffee Shop, and Saints Restaurant & Catering.

All are located in Southington.

To learn more about Plate It Forward and make a donation online via The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, follow them on Facebook or Instagram at PlateItForwardCT or click on this link.