Page 3 - 2020 Year in Review

ESSENTIAL VOLUNTEERS

We rely on volunteers for nearly all of our
operations. In 2020 our volunteers logged:

32,987 hours

This is equivalent to 15.9 full time

employees. About 75 people became our
“essential volunteers” who maintained a
regular schedule in our kitchen, food pantry,
CHANGES TO VOLUNTEERING DURING THE PANDEMIC and office. Our gratitude goes out to them!
o Masks and hand sanitizer for all While many volunteers over 65 reluctantly
o Plexiglass at front desk, food pantry decided not to come in during the pandemic,
o More drivers needed to deliver meals we welcomed many new faces who were
to isolation centers, home bound recently unemployed or had extra time.

FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT
We relied on generous emergency donations from local foundations
and businesses to keep our pantry and refrigerators stocked with
essential food items.

 US Foods donated 1600 lbs. of dry goods in April and 1900 lbs.
of meat and dry goods in October when supplies ran low
 American Ambulance Services dropped off over 1,000 lbs. of
canned goods in August
 Mohegan Sun, Core Plus Credit Union, employees of Electric
Boat and many more donated turkeys.
 The Women’s City Club of Norwich, Boy Scout Troop 4 of
Norwich, several Knights of Columbus councils, and many other
civic organizations held food drives for our pantry.

CHANGES TO FOOD PANTRY OPERATIONS
Food Pantry Our food operations changed dramatically during the
Visitors pandemic. Our Food Pantry Manager expanded hours from
eight to 16 per week in order to maintain social distancing and
150
meet the increased need. Patrons remained socially
100 distanced as they received pre-made bags of food based on
family size and food preferences.
50
0 128 families visited each day of operation on average,
2014 2016 2018 2020 the highest on record. Compared to 2019 New patrons
Avg. Familes/Day increased 47% to our Food Pantry.