Rally Day to End Hunger and Homelessness set

TORRINGTON — A “Rally Day to End Hunger and Homelessness in NWCT” will be the theme of a daylong event, featuring six activities, co-sponsored and organized by FISH/Friends in Service to Humanity of NWCT and the United Way of Northwest CT, that all Litchfield County residents are invited to join in the crusade on Saturday, Nov. 17.

Beginning at 10a.m., participants may rally at The Gathering Place for the group photo and then have the opportunity to tour at 21 Prospect Street in Torrington, the area’s drop in center for the homeless.

Then residents may walk or drive two blocks to the FISH NWCT Food Pantry and Homeless Shelter at 332 South Main Street. FISH NWCT will open its doors for an open house tour, sharing that they truly are serving our neighbors in need, and that there is no mystery concerning the issues of hunger and homelessness. By 12 p.m., participants can go to St. Peter’s Hall, 109 East Main Street, for a free community pasta luncheon that will feature a coat giveaway and a short awareness presentation.

Speakers at the event will include Deirdre DiCara, Executive Director at FISH NWCT; Owen Quinn, United Way Executive; Michael Culmo of Mental Health Connecticut; Michelle Anderson of EdAdvance; Julia Scharnberg of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation; and Maria Gonzalez, Family Development Center Manager of New Opportunities. Each speaker will share their service work for the hungry and the homeless of our NWCT corner and bring insight into how community residents can help to impact and positively change lives. The luncheon and coat giveaway will conclude by 2 p.m. Attendees are asked to RSVP the lunch invitation to aid cooks with their preparations by calling FISH NWCT at 860-4827300 or online at http://pastalunch.eventbrite.com.

That Saturday evening at 9 p.m., the day program will continue when confirmation students of Torrington’s St. John Paul the Great Parish will gather for a “Cardboard Box – City Sleep Out” in front of St. Francis Church. Ms. DiCara will bring guests to visit and join the campfire, who have experienced hunger and homelessness. They will visit with the young people to share the message that there is no stereotyping those in poverty and that every story is unique.

Coats are being collected until Nov. 15 for the coat giveaway at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 837 Charles St., Torrington; Torrington Ford-Lincoln 1355 East Main Street, St. Francis Church Office of St. John Paul the Great Parish; 160 Main Street, Center Congregational Church, 155 Main St.; and Palace Aids Fireplace, Pool and Spa Center, 922 East Main St.

FISH asks that residents check their closets for potential donations. Last year more than 900 coats were distributed at the Rally Day lunch and the next week in Winsted at The Open Door.

For information, call Deirdre DiCara at FISH NWCT 860-4827300.