Herb came to the Community Dining Room for a warm meal. He was disheveled and depressed and very quiet. I began a conversation with him, personal connection being a large part of what we offer here at the Community Dining Room; a welcoming place to find food, friendship and referral services. Before I tell you Herb’s story let me say you’ve heard these stories before and each one is an equally important insight into the sometimes difficult lives our neighbors lead. It is very important to remember and to give thanks that there are social service agenc

     Margaret works hard. She is well educated, has a good job and a wonderful 9 year old son. Several years ago she and her husband divorced. Her husband does not pay child support. Margaret works two additional part time jobs to make financial ends meet.

Mary has one child, a lovely 10 year old son, Mark.  Mary has lived out of state and has had a good job for many years.  However, due to the economic downturn she was let go from her job and has been unable to find a new position.  Having recently gone through a difficult divorce and with no income to speak of, Mary decided to return to Connecticut to live with her mother and make a new beginning.  This has been harder than Mary thought.  She has not found work and can not stay with her mother much longer.  She came to the Community Dining Room for direction an

The Community Dining Room lunch room is always full. New faces and families appear each day. Times are tough and getting tougher.

Jane* and her little girl came to the Community Dining Room for lunch when they could get a ride.  She was given a take out meal for her two sons who were in school and always came home hungry.  Tuesday nights they would all be present at the family dinner when their father was "okay" and could bring them for an "out to dinner" time together, complete with free books and story reading for the children.  Jane says it was because of this food support she was able to stretch the family income and pay their bills.