The Care & Share Food Pantry has a year-round need for non-perishable as well as frozen food, and household items.  Food items, including canned soups, fruits and vegetables, one-package meals, juice, powdered milk and cereal are always needed. Frozen meats, including packages of hamburger, hotdogs, packages of chicken parts, and 4 to 5 lb. chickens are also welcomed. We also have a need for household goods such as paper towels, toilet paper, soap, shampoo and toothpaste.

An updated list of urgent pantry needs is posted on the home page of this website.

The Food Pantry, located at 11 Hope Street In Niantic (behind Niantic Cinema), is open for donations the first and third Saturday of each month between 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.  During these times, Care & Share volunteers staffing the pantry will receive your donation, and can issue you a receipt. To make delivery arrangements on other than the specified Saturdays, please call 739-8502.

In addition, nonperishable items may be placed in Care & Share collection boxes located in many churches, organizations and retailers, located throughout the community, including:

• Grocery stores: Stop & Shop, Tri-Town Market and Colonial Market
• Banks
• Town buildings and offices, including Town Hall, the Senior Center, and the Library.

Because we serve both families and individuals, all serving sizes are needed.

Please remember to check expiration dates on all food contributions.

To support our efforts in stocking and running the pantry you may want to consider:

• Volunteering in the food pantry on Saturday food intake days, or assisting with inventory management.
• Helping with the packing of seasonal food baskets, or in the bread delivery program.
• Holding a food drive in your neighborhood, at your place of work or school, or as a part of your civic organization’s activities.
• Having a friendly competition between groups, such as sports teams, or departments at work, to see who can raise the most food for Care & Share.
• Reducing the price of admission for an event for attendees who bring a non-perishable food item for Care & Share.
• Asking that those attending a social or family event, such as an anniversary or birthday party, bring food for Care & Share instead of a gift.

Call us at 860-739-8502, to discuss your idea for collecting food for Care & Share.  We can help you with ideas to get you started, and may be able to put you in touch with someone who has run a similar event. You may wish to also review our Guide for Running a Food Drive.

Together, we can help in ensuring that we have a sufficient amount of food to meet our community’s growing need.