News

Hungry? These CT institutions can help.

Connecticut Public Radio | By Rachel Iacovone

Published November 5, 2025 at 5:26 PM EST

For those affected by the lapse in SNAP benefits, or facing other challenges during the federal shutdown, these community members in Connecticut are offering help.

CT Public compiled a list of where to find everything from groceries to hot meals — and where to donate if you are able.

You can locate free meals, food pantries or mobile pantry sites by calling 211 or visiting www.211ct.org. Enter your ZIP code or the name of your town to see nearby options. You can also check the Connecticut Foodshare’s Mobile Pantry at www.ctfoodshare.org/find-food or text FOODSHARE or COMIDA to 85511 for the most recent schedule. The pantry visits over 100 locations across Connecticut.’

Groceries

Connecticut Foodshare (statewide)

Both its mobile food pantry locator and food pantry map offer options closest to the searcher

CitySeed (New Haven, New Haven County)

Is giving $50 to the first 50 people who show up at the Saturday and Sunday farmer's markets through the month of November

Witch Bitch Thrift (New Haven, New Haven County)

The thrift shop maintains a free pantry both giving and receiving food from the community

Fridgeport (Bridgeport, Fairfield County)

Drop off groceries or pick some up at the open access fridge and pantry at 219 James Street

Takeout and Delivery Apps

GoPuff

Giving $25 of grocery money twice in November with discount codes they’re releasing on social media

Instacart

50% off SNAP recipients’ next grocery order
Community Carts options for those wanting to donate goods

DoorDash

Waiving service and delivery fees from some partner companies, including Stop & Shop, ShopRite, BJ’s Wholesale Club and Dollar General

TooGoodToGo

Extremely discounted meals from local restaurants/grocery stores. Anywhere from $5-9 for $15-25 worth of food (it tells you the specifics based on the restaurant)

Special Order

Lasagna Love (national organization)

There are hundreds of volunteers signed up in CT to make lasagnas upon request from neighbors in need

Cakes4Kids (national organization)

There are a couple dozen CT bakers that volunteer to make kids cakes for birthdays and special events, free of charge

Drives

Fairfield Social Services (Fairfield, Fairfield County)

Collecting Stop & Shop and ShopRite grocery gift cards

Operation Hope of Fairfield drive (Fairfield, Fairfield County)

Community Soup Kitchen’s Nourish New Haven Gathering - Closing the Meal Gap fundraiser (New Haven, New Haven County)

This $30 per person fundraiser provides 10 meals to the community and supports Community Soup Kitchen’s continued work

Restaurants

TJ’s Burritos and Coffee (Bloomfield and East Granby, Hartford County)

Free kids’ meals, one per child

Cheek’s Chicken and Waffles (Manchester, Hartford County)

Free kids’ meals
Can pre-purchase meals for kids on their Toast Tab ordering page

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (New Haven, New Haven County)

DESK has been posting about the increased need with the government shutdown and SNAP benefits ending

Dom’s Broad Street Eatery (Windsor, Hartford County)

Recent brunch proceeds went to Windsor Food and Fuel Bank

The Seagrape Cafe (Fairfield, Fairfield County)

Held a food drive over the weekend, donated groceries and gift cards collected to local food pantries

Three Girls Vegan Creamery (Guilford, New Haven County)

Proceeds from their weekend dinner were going toward Thanksgiving/November meals for local families in need

Hot Meals

This list is a mix of different hot meal options across the state each day of the week — from Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, Covenant Soup Kitchen, St. Vincent DePaul Mission Soup Kitchen, Hartford Soup Kitchens, Meriden Soup Kitchen and Community Kitchen of Northeastern Connecticut.

Monday

6:30-8:30 a.m. - Sunrise Café
57 Olive St., New Haven

7:30-9:15 a.m. - House of Bread
27 Chestnut Street, Hartford

8:00 a.m. - Mercy Housing/St. Elizabeth House
118 Main Street, Hartford

8:00-9:00 a.m. - The Community Kitchen of Torrington
220 Prospect St, Torrington

8:30-9:30 a.m. - Covenant Soup Kitchen
220 Valley Street, Willimantic

9:00-10:00 a.m. - Thomas Merton House
1406 State Street, Bridgeport

9:30-10:30 a.m. - Bridgeport Rescue Mission
1088 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport

11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - First Baptist Church
460 Broad St., Meriden

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - Varick AME Zion Church
242 Dixwell Ave., New Haven

11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. - House of Bread
27 Chestnut Street, Hartford

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - First Congregational Church of West Haven
1 Church Street, West Haven

11:30 a.m. - First Congregational Church of Woodstock
543 Route 169, Woodstock

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - Thomas Merton House
1406 State Street, Bridgeport

11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. - Loaves & Fishes
10 Woodland Street, Hartford

11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. - St. Vincent DePaul Mission Soup Kitchen
327 Baldwin Street, Waterbury

11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. - The Community Kitchen of Torrington
220 Prospect St, Torrington

12:00-1:30 p.m. - The Hill
33 Lamberton Street, New Haven

12:00-1:30 p.m. - Newhallville Partnership
84 Broadway Street, New Haven

12:00 p.m. - Mercy Housing/St. Elizabeth House
118 Main Street, Hartford

12:00-12:30 p.m. - MANNA Community Meals
45 Church Street, Hartford

4:00-5:30 p.m. St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church
285 Church Street, Hartford

12:00-1:00 p.m. - Covenant Soup Kitchen
220 Valley Street, Willimantic

4:00-5:00 p.m. - Varick AME Zion Church
242 Dixwell Ave., New Haven

5:00-6:00 p.m. - First Baptist Church in Essex
10 Prospect Street, Essex

5:00-6:00 p.m. - Hartford Rescue Mission
31 Mather Street, Hartford

6:00-6:30 p.m. - MANNA Community Meals
45 Church Street, Hartford

Tuesday

6:30-8:30 a.m. - St. Martin Deporres Church
136 Dixwell Ave., New Haven