Mobile food pantry to be held in memory of Jason Vincent

One package per vehicle planned for Thursday event at Rose City Senior Center

Norwich — A drive-thru mobile food pantry will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Drive, Norwich, in memory of Jason Vincent, the president of the Norwich Community Development Corp., who died Dec. 30.

The Gemma E. Moran United Way/

Labor Food Center will host the drive, sponsored by Mayor Peter Nystrom and Linda Nystrom, friends and family members of Vincent, who will be volunteering at the food pantry. The sponsors raised $2,250 for the food pantry.

The goal is to provide food to 400 recipients. One package of food will be provided to each vehicle, but drivers can pick up food for additional families, Nystrom said. No registration, residency or paperwork is required.

“Jason’s generosity of his talents and time is something people remember him by,” said Mayor

Nystrom. “Holding the mobile food pantry in his name is a way for us to continue his legacy of helping others.”

Recipients are asked to remain in their cars and open their trunk, where volunteers can place the food boxes. Everyone must wear a mask and practice all COVID-19 safety protocols. The food boxes contain protein, fruits, vegetables, and nonperishable food items.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to Mayor Nystrom, his family, and friends for their generosity in sponsoring this mobile pantry,” said Dina Sears-Graves, vice president of community impact at United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. “Thanks to caring community members like them, we can get more food to those who need it, especially now during these challenging times.”

The Food Center has provided more than 2.8 million pounds of food over the past year through the emergency food network of programs in New London County, the equivalent of more than 2.3 million meals. Those programs serve 17,444 people each month. The Food Center also conducts numerous Mobile Pantry Popup distributions across the county.