FISH

The Pantry depends on community donations, yet food drive donations are way down since the pandemic so
we are writing grants to purchase food items–as food literally flies off our shelves. In this past year, our numbers have leaped by more than 1,000 new clients to nearly 3000 neighbors needing food assistance.  And at the FISH Shelter, we receive only 65-70% of the funds needed to operate from the DOH/Department of Housing.

The Northwest Corner Gives campaign challenge, from July 1 – 22, 2026, will match dollar for dollar donations, up to $25,000 towards FISH operations–only on the website hosted by the Northwest CT Community
Foundation. We hope you’ll please consider making your holiday season gift now so FISH will benefit from this matching campaign–that
has the potential of yielding $50,000.

Our Mission at FISH/Friends in Service to Humanity of NWCT is to provide the most basic of human needs–food, shelter and HOPE. The
FISH Homeless Shelter has 35 beds, 5 of which are designated for vets. We currently have three families housed with 8 children. Last year we served: 124 residents: 87 adults, 18 veterans and 19 children, as they awaited housing. Our Case Manager is dedicated to overseeing educational
and social service resources, medical and mental health needs, employment opportunities and housing possibilities to lead to one’s
independent, stable, and future–into permanent supportive housing. We make possible educational opportunities (GED and NCCC vocational training classes) and life skills workshops. 

FYI – We are seeing a great need to house families, and most especially seniors who have lost their apartments due to their Social Security check not stretching to cover their expenses. **** FISH also has a large “free” food
pantry that in the past year has grown by over 1,000 neighbors in need, to now serve over 2,900 individuals/nearly 1000 families – twice monthly.

In 2025, the FISH Food Pantry distributed enough food to serve over 183,000 meals–which we will be way over this year due to the SNAP cuts. We non-profit pantries take on the food shortage crisis with few resources, and no government funding. We do our best, sometimes needing to restock our shelves three times a day.

We at FISH….see daily the very human, social welfare challenges of families, individuals and vets facing life crisis. We strive to restore and rebuild the confidence and self-worth of those who are the most vulnerable and seek our help.

FISH NWCT has proven resilient, with renewed energy and faith in our future. We have never missed a beat as our staff and volunteers
continue to serve tirelessly and with courage. We continue to be tenacious in our delivery of services, keeping people safe and well, to the
best of our ability, as they await supportive, affordable housing placement. The trend in the past couple of years has changed in the Shelter–to half of our residents being Seniors and homeless families. We are here to help them through their trauma – with some face aging challenges – such as dementia, immobility with the need to use walkers and canes, and hearing
issues.

We invite you to please join us in our service work with our homeless and food insecure neighbors in need, by stepping up and giving us a helping hand with a donation. There have been so many of you – shining in your goodness and generosity. We believe we are community partners serving humanity, and making a positive impact to change lives for the better. Thank you.