Although, these are difficult economic times locally, statewide, nationally and globally, most financial experts believe that the economy is gradually and stubbornly inching forward. That was certainly the rhetoric from candidates running on the Democratic ticket during the recent election cycle.
This news is somewhat comforting despite multitudes of Americans struggling with joblessness and loss of income. But many non-profit organizations are still finding it difficult to supply needy families with food and supplies this holiday season.
The Bridgeport Rescue Mission is one of the most active non-profit organizations in the state, serving meals 365 days a year, as well as proving a myriad of crucial services to those in need. One of the biggest days of the year for the organization is Thanksgiving, when it feeds homeless men, women and children and working-poor families from throughout Fairfield County. This year, the Rescue Mission provided Thanksgiving Pantry Boxes to 1,325 families in the community who need a helping hand and distributed hot holiday meals to hungry neighbors from nine mobile kitchen sites.
But just a week before Thanksgiving, the Bridgeport Rescue Mission was in need of 1,200 turkeys, according to its website. This was clearly a product of the economy: Donations are down and demand is up.
The rescue mission got a boost from several neighborhood organizations that run food drives specifically to benefit the mission”™s needs. One of the largest of these is organized by City of Bridgeport employees, who run an annual food drive with all proceeds going to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
One of the most notable elements about the holidays is how individuals step up on their own to help provide much-needed supplies. Richard Cellar Jr., owner of Ruby II”™s in Black Rock, annually treks into the Bronx to pick up 100 turkeys. He gives 50 turkeys to Bonnie Roach, director of the Black Rock Senior Center, and the other 50 to Sister Theresa Tremblay, director of the Daughters of Charity Rescue Mission on North Avenue. The Daughters of Charity is a “grass-roots” organization that ministers directly to needy people within the Bridgeport community.
“We have a lot of people in need around here, especially in this economy,” said Cellar when asked why he donates these birds every year. “We want to be good neighbors, but most importantly, Bonnie and Sister Theresa are doing God”™s work.”
The Black Rock Thanksgiving Brigade was established 17 years ago by Dave McDonald, late owner of the Ritz Lunchette, a Black Rock landmark. The group gathers a host of volunteers together to cook, and deliver hot Thanksgiving dinners to more than 200 area residents. The brigade then donates any leftover food to the Black Rock Food Pantry.
“I”™ve been working on this since the second year,” Jennifer Mastrorocco, one of the event”™s many organizers, said. “Every year it”™s crazy, but somehow it all comes together Thanksgiving morning.”
So despite a rough economy, the wheels have been in motion to help the homeless and working poor, not just for Thanksgiving but during the rest of this holiday season. That”™s essential because although Fairfield County is one of the wealthiest areas in the country, Bridgeport remains one of the poorest cities in the nation.
Rob Sullivan is the publisher and executive editor of the Bridgeport Banner daily website and monthly print edition. The website can be accessed at www.bridgeportbanner.typepad.com. He lives in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport.
