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Town of East Hartford Food Pantry

The Town of East Hartford Food Pantry is located in the lower level of the Community Center located at 50 Chapman Place, East Hartford, CT 06108.  The pantry is operated by the Department of Health & Human Services, Youth & Social Services Division and is a Connecticut Foodshare member.  The purpose of this webpage is to address frequently asked questions regarding dates of operations, donations, volunteer opportunities, and how to contact Youth & Social Services for more information about the food pantry. 

HOURS OF OPERATION AND CRITERIA:  

What are the Hours of operation? 

  • The East Hartford food pantry is open three days a month; the 2nd and 4th Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the 3rd Monday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
  • The food pantry operates on a first come, first serve basis. Individuals will receive assistance during pantry hours or until there is no more food or hygiene products available for distribution. 

What are requirements to participate?  

  • The East Hartford food pantry is a Connecticut Foodshare site. Individuals and families must be a resident of Connecticut and a self-declaration that a person is in need of food assistance. As a Connecticut Foodshare site, we minimize the amount of information collected from program guests and strive to make services accessible to any person experiencing a need for food assistance. 
  • The East Hartford food pantry is open to any Connecticut resident. 
  • Clients are encouraged to bring bags to transport selected food and hygiene items. 

Do you need to be an East Hartford resident? 

  • No, however, individuals and families must be a resident of the state of Connecticut  

What food items are available from the East Hartford Food Pantry?

  • Clients are able to receive staple food items such as pasta, cereal, rice, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned meat, and frozen items. Limited quantities of additional food items may be available based on donations received, including fresh produce, fresh meats, and dairy products. 

Are hygiene products available? 

  • The East Hartford food pantry provides hygiene products, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, and toiletries. Availability of hygiene products is based on donations received.  

 

SUPPORTING THE FOOD PANTRY: 

Are you accepting donations?  

  • Yes. The Town of East Hartford encourages individuals, community-based organizations, and businesses to support our food pantry through donations. Food and hygiene product donations are welcome. Monetary donations are also accepted. 
  • For food and hygiene product donations, please drop off items at the Youth & Social Services Division office located on the lower level of the EH Community Center at 50 Chapman Place, East Hartford, CT 06108. If you need assistance with bringing in donations, please contact the Youth & Social Services main number at (860) 291-7248 and ask to speak with the food assistance coordinator to arrange your donation drop-off. 

  • Donations are accepted during normal Town operations hours; Monday through Wednesday 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.; Thursday 8:30 a.m. through 5:30 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. 

  • For monetary donations, individuals can mail a check to the Town of East Hartford, Youth & Social Services Division, 50 Chapman Place, East Hartford, CT 06108. Please specify the donation is for the food pantry. Individuals can also drop off their donation at the Youth & Social Services office.  If you prefer to make an online donation, please access the Youth & Social Services Donation Program. 

What are donation needs? 

  • Any staple food items are accepted for donations, such as pasta, cereal, rice, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned meat, and frozen items.   
  • Please note items must still be within their expiration date, packages must be completely sealed and not previously opened, and containers must not be dented or bulging in order to be accepted for donation. 
  • For fresh meat and dairy products, items must have remained frozen or cold as they were originally stored. 

How can I volunteer?  

  • Individuals and organizations can volunteer at the EH food pantry by contacting the Youth & Social Services Division at (860) 291-7248 and ask to speak with the food pantry coordinator. E-mail inquiries about volunteer opportunities can also be sent to socialservices@easthartfordct.gov. Volunteer hours are available during pantry operating hours to assist clients, or during scheduled times to assist with stocking donations. Volunteer under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission; volunteers under 15 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

  • The Town of East Hartford invites businesses and organizations to host food drive events.  The Youth & Social Services food pantry coordinator can assist with suggested donation lists and scheduling a time to drop off bulk donations from food drives. 

Do you have a flyer I can share? 

  • Coming soon!