Bridge The SNAP Gap Community Fund Raiser - nOURish Bridgeport

Product Features

• “Bridging the SNAP Gap” is a new emphasis within the general operation of nOURish Bridgeport's SUPER FOOD PANTRY - to help ease the effect of the government’s cut of SNAP benefits on our neighbors.
• 360,000 Connecticut citizens are impacted by this cut in benefits. These are our neighbors!
• Rather than just distribute whatever CT Food Bank can provide the SUPER FOOD PANTRY from week to week, “Bridging the SNAP Gap” is their intentional effort to purchase and provide regular staples (non-perishables, perishables, fresh produce) that our neighbors have typically been able to purchase at a store with their SNAP benefits. 
  
• Make your donation here In lieu of donating non-perishables at the store.
• 100% of your donation will go directly to nOURish Bridgeport for this purpose.
• If you prefer to donate non-perishables at the store, here are the items most needed:
  • Canned proteins (chicken, tuna, salmon)
  • Canned vegetables
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly
  • Cereal
  • Oatmeal
  • Shelf Stable Milk

What is nOURish Bridgeport?

• nOURish BRIDGEPORT, Inc. is a food-centered, volunteer-powered, community
  anchored 501c3 bringing hope to our City through direct service programs.
• Founded in 2010, nOURish BRIDGEPORT, through innovation and necessity, has grown into an ecosystem (Food Pantry, Mobile Hot Meals, English Classes, and Indoor Farm) supporting neighbors who face pervasive food insecurity in
  the community.
• Their SUPER FOOD PANTRY sources and purchases 14,000 pounds of shelf stable food and perishables each week to distribute to 400 families (~2000 food insecure neighbors, mostly children) at our weekly pantry.
• Their pantry runs with “Shopper’s Choice” – giving every neighbor a volunteer who
  accompanies them as they shop. This is where food becomes a tool to build community. They are the grocery store for our “Food Desert” neighborhood in Bridgeport.
• Unfortunately, fresh produce is rarely available. This deficit planted the seed from which an idea grew to better serve neighbors.
• In 2022, nOURish founded the First NON-PROFIT INDOOR HYDROPONIC FARM in Connecticut to respond to the lack of healthy, fresh foods available to people who must turn to pantries to meet basic nutritional needs. In the first 3 years alone, the nOURish FARM has distributed 17 TONS of produce and has become one of the largest food distributors in the area.
• In partnership with their own Super Food Pantry, Hot Meals, and English Classes; Bridgeport and Stratford Schools; Local Soup Kitchens; and Farmers' Markets throughout the region, nOURish is feeding thousands of food insecure Connecticut residents with fresh healthy food per week!
  
• At nOURish BRIDGEPORT, healthy food choices, treating neighbors with respect and dignity, and turning no one away are the goals we seek to meet day after day.
  
• Come help nOURish our NEIGHBORS!!!

nOURish BRIDGEPORT, Inc.
Reverend Sara D. Smith, Esq. – President/CEO
Physical Address: 2200 North Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604
Farm Address: 1895 Stratford Avenue, Stratford, CT 06614
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1859, Bridgeport, CT 06601

www.nourishbpt.org
(To Learn more, Donate and Volunteer)