The Spooner House annual frozen turkey and fixings drive for holiday meal baskets has begun and will continue through mid December.  The goal for this holiday season is to prepare 700 meal baskets; the items suggested for each basket are at the end of this release. More people than ever in the lower Naugatuck Valley are in need of support to obtain all the ingredients necessary for satisfying holiday meals.

Individuals, families, businesses, schools, congregations and civic organizations are encouraged to collect items or complete baskets.

“Last year we collected enough food fo r700 baskets and more than 2,600 individuals were served by the Spooner House Food Bank during the holidays,” explained Executive Director Susan Compton Agamy. “We are always under more pressure during the winter months as colder and varying temperatures impact our client base."

Locations and Holiday Food Drive events this year include Adams Hometown Markets in Derby, Milford and Shelton,Seymour Cinemas 12, Starbucks in Shelton, L2 Innovate Computers and Technology in Ansonia, Super Stop & Shop in Ansonia and Shelton, the Boy Scouts “Scouting for Food” drive, the Girl Scout Troop 64164 food collection at First United Methodist Church in Shelton, the Shelton High School basketball clinic at Shelton Intermediate School, as well as continuing the tradition of frozen turkey drives at the Seymour Middle School and the Chatfield-LoPresti Elementary School in Seymour. See details below organized by date.

Visit www.actspooner.org for updates.  Also check for updates and pictures on our Facebook page. Again this year, some locations will not be able to accept frozen turkeys, only non-perishable items for those in need.  Spooner House is asking everyone to be as generous as possible and thanks in advance for any help you are able to provide.

If the dates and times listed are not convenient, you may drop food items at the Spooner House, 30 Todd Road in Shelton, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. though there is staff on duty 24/7.  Contact Kate to arrange a donation delivery: kpipa@actspooner.org or203-225-0453 ext. 102.

Only the locations below with an asterisk will be collecting frozen turkeys.

Seymour Cinemas 12 “End The Hunger Games” Food Drive

Now until Monday, Nov. 30

814 Derby Ave., Seymour, 203-734-2000

Bring a nonperishable food donation to the Seymour movie theater and receive a courtesy popcorn along with a raffle ticket for your chance to win up to 4 tickets to a viewing of The Hunger Games – Mockingjay Part 2.

*Adams Hometown Markets

Holiday Basket Item Collection now through Nov. 20 and

Thanksgiving Food Drive Friday, Nov. 20 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

656 New Haven Ave., Derby, 203-734-9283

1391 New Haven Ave., Milford 203-878-7363

200 Leavenworth Rd., Shelton 203-929-7982

L2 Innovate Computers and Technology

Ongoing Food Drive Donation Drop-Off Location

335 Main St., Ansonia, 203-732-2488

Starbucks, Crown Point Center, Shelton

Ongoing Food Drive Donation Drop-Off Location

504 Bridgeport Ave., 203-929-4351

Super Stop & Shop “Food for Friends” Program

Friday, Nov. 6 - 26

100 Division St., Ansonia, 203-732-3901

898 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton, 203-929-7516

Purchase paper turkeys at checkout for $1 and 60% of all dollars raised at the Ansonia and Shelton locations will go to Spooner House.

Boy Scout “Scouting For Food” Food Drive

Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Food Drive collection throughout Shelton. Look for door hangers being distributed in Shelton the first two weeks of November with collection taking place from doorsteps on Saturday, November 14.

*Girl Scout Troop 64146

Holiday Fixings and Turkey Drive

Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

First United Methodist Church, 188 Rocky Rest Rd., Shelton, 203-929-3537

Shelton High School Basketball Team and Shelton Biddy Basketball Clinic

Saturday, Nov.  21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

675 Constitution Blvd., Shelton

Special fundraiser at the Shelton Intermediate School, drop off a holiday donation of food or cash in the can to help Operation Holiday, and shoot some hoops for free as the basketball season gets into full swing.

*Seymour Middle School and Chatfield-Lopresti Elementary School

Will primarily be accepting frozen turkeys, though non-perishable food items will be accepted.

Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The 8th Grade Gold Team, 14th Annual 211 Mountain Road and 51 Skokorat Street in Seymour

SEE BELOW FOR REQUESTED LIST OF FIXINGS

Please place your items in a sturdy box or bin

·        1 Box Instant Potatoes

·        2 Packages of Gravy

·        1 Box/Bag Stuffing Mix

·        1 Can Cranberry Sauce

·        4 Cans of Vegetables, for example:

-corn/peas/asparagus/yams/carrots/beets

·        Pie Crust Mix

·        Pie Filling

·        1 Can Evaporated/Powdered Milk

·        1 Jar Pickles

·        2 Cans Olives

·        Canned Fruit, for example:

-peaches/pineapple/mixed fruit/fruit cocktail

·        Coffee/Tea

·        Powdered Juice Mix

·         Extras: Napkins, Sugar, Brownie Mix, Corn Bread/Bisquick Mix