Wallingford Community Women Help Fight Hunger

From Connecticut Food Bank:

WALLINGFORD, CONN., June 29, 2016 – A murder mystery dinner held in February at the Villa Capri by the Wallingford Community Women raised funds for several of the group’s community projects, including a donation of more than $2,700 that will supply food from the Connecticut Food Bank for distribution through Master’s Manna, a multi-service organization that helps people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or coping with the difficulties caused by low incomes. The event was suggested by Wallingford Community Women Vice President Jennifer Flood-Frechette, who said that “several years ago, one of my former students found himself homeless and in need of help. I brought him to Master’s Manna and they provided him with food and services. Ever since then, I wanted to find a way to give back.”

Flood-Frechette and her fundraising committee co-chairs, Wallingford Community Women President Cindy Parent and Allie Stevens, worked with Michael Sayers of the Chester Hadlyme Mystery Party, who donated his services to assure maximum return for the event. Chester Hadlyme Mystery Party hosts monthly events at Consiglio’s Restaurant in New Haven. The $2,754 donation for Master’s Manna will result in enough food from the Connecticut Food Bank for Master’s Manna to prepare more than 5,500 meals.

Connecticut Food Bank Chief Development Officer Mary Kate Carofano joined Master’s Manna CEO Cheryl Trzcinski in accepting the check. “Our size and capacity allow us to leverage more food for the people served by Master’s Manna,” Carofano said. “Master’s Manna makes a life changing difference for so many people in the Wallingford and Meriden area. This donation will be of tremendous impact for people in need.”

Flood-Frechette said the purpose of the event was two-fold. “We wanted to support the great work of Master’s Manna, but we also wanted people to understand the challenge of hunger and learn more about some of the great resources for help in our community.”

The check was presented by the Wallingford Community Women on June 8 at the Connecticut Food Bank distribution center in Wallingford.

Trzcinski said Master’s Manna was grateful for the support and the food it will provide. “We work with the Connecticut Food Bank to provide access to nutritious food for people in our community. These dollars will go a long way in doing that.” Master’s Manna offers both a food pantry and a dining center for people who need help meeting basic needs for food. The food programs are only part of a range of services Master’s Manna offers people, including a health clinic, a market offering clothing, accessories and more, training and education services and laundry and hygiene facilities for people who are coping with homelessness.

Photo from the check presentation, left to right: Jennifer Flood-Frechette, Vice President, Wallingford Community Women; Cheryl Trzcinski, CEO, Master’s Manna; Cindy Parent, President, Wallingford Community Women; Mary Kate Carofano, Chief Development Officer, Connecticut Food Bank; and Allie Stevens, Wallingford Community Women.

Photo courtesy of Connecticut Food Bank.