You may have fond memories of Thanksgiving Dinners past, sitting full-bellied around a table of meats and sweets, enjoying the company of family and friends. Unfortunately, food insecurity – which affects nearly 14% of Connecticut residents, including over 155,000 children – brings down the holiday cheer for many households, even in our own community.

Since 2010, however, various groups, businesses, and individuals from around the city have come together for the Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project to purchase and assemble baskets of food for people who cannot otherwise afford to prepare a Thanksgiving feast. Last year, the MCTP provided 700 baskets to community members, and the goal for this year is to assemble over 900 baskets. Wesleyan students, faculty, and staff have been involved in the project since its founding. Your donations and volunteer work will be vital as well all strive to reach this goal, so here’s how you can help:

Volunteer

Sign up to assemble baskets! Wesleyan’s Office of Community Service will bring vans of students to the Fellowship Church on Monday, November 24 for two shifts: 10:00am – 12:30pm and 12:15pm – 3:00pm. We also need volunteers for 9:45am-12:00pm on Tuesday, November 25. Students are also welcome to drive themselves; email our office (ccp@wesleyan.edu) to discuss carpooling and other volunteer opportunities.

Donate

Wesleyan is responsible for providing the stuffing and gravy for the Thanksgiving baskets, so make sure to pick some up from Wesshop or on your next trip to Price Chopper. Other donations are welcome as well; excess supplies will be donated to the Amazing Grace Food Pantry. There are collection boxes in Usdan, North College, Olin, Exley, Freeman, and Weshop.

To learn more about the Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project and to hear how other people are getting involved, like the Facebook page.