The people hit hardest, especially in times like these, are the people with the least. And the people who congregate for food at the John Street Bridge in Bridgeport are these people.
So we’re reaching out to help provide some food for the homeless and food insecure at the John Street Bridge Outreach Project in Bridgeport beginning Sunday, April 19. This project is sanctioned by the City of Bridgeport and coordinated by April Barron’s Helping Hands Outreach. April has been coordinating food for the homeless under the John’s Street Bridge for over a decade. You may remember April – how could you not – she spoke at our Sunday Service on January 12.
The COVID-19 crisis has forced many providers to temporarily stop their service under the John’s Street Bridge.
Preparing the Lunch:
Please create lunches out of foods that do not need to be refrigerated for 24 hours.
If possible, please add the following to the lunch:
● Sandwich – such as peanut butter and jelly, Nutella, strawberry jam, or packaged pepperoni
● Fruit
● Granola bar or protein bar
● A snack such as chips or pretzels, or a homemade baked good such as cookies or muffins!
● Beverage such as water or juice.
Please include a brief note of hope and spiritual unity from our community, such as “We wish you peace and good health. (Your first name) and The Unitarian Church in Westport.”
** Please label the bag with the type of sandwich, for allergy concerns.
You may use any paper or plastic bag you have at home.
** We also welcome donations of individually bagged fruit, muffins, cookies, etc., as “extras” for the community at John Street!
If You Need Lunch Bags:
Lunch Bags will be available at the church outside in a plastic bin on the parking lot level near the front steps. They will be clipped together in groups of five. Please only take the amount you will return as lunches. They will be available on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, April 15th through 17th, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. We will have sanitizer available at the bin.
Drop-Off the Lunches on April 18th:
Option A: Drop-Off at the Church
Drop the filled lunch bags into the plastic bin at the church on Saturday, April 18th, between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm. The bin will be located on the parking lot level near the front steps. Call David Vita (203.227.7205 x14) when you drop of the lunches. He will be emptying the bin between 12:00 and 5:00. Please practice social distancing, if another individual is dropping off bags at the same time or wait for the individual to leave the area. We will have sanitizer available at the bin.
Option B: Pick-Up From Your Porch
Email both David Vita and Teryl Eisenberg for pick-up of your filled lunch bags. We will coordinate a pick up on Saturday, April 18th by emailing (or send us your phone number and we’ll call) an approximate time for you to leave your bag on your porch.
Thank you in advance for your kindness!