The Plainville Community Food Pantry helps clients to
help themselves work through a crisis, improve their
quality of life and become self-sufficient. Listed below are
PCFP programs and services which help achieve this
goal.
Food Assistance:The PCFP’s Food Pantry Program is
different from most food pantries because it uses a client-
choice format in which clients are allowed the freedom to
select their own groceries. This format provides food
subsidies to low income families in crisis, while nurturing
their ability to be independent and take control of their life.
Clothing: Clothing Program Clothing Program Our
donated clothing provides clients registered on our
program the opportunity to “shop” for clothing for
themselves and their families. Our inventory of donated
clothing includes adult’s, infant’s, children’s clothing, plus-
size and maternity, shoes, belts and other accessories.
Jackets, hats, gloves and boots are available in the
winter. For sanitary reasons, only brand new socks,
underwear and bathing suits are accepted. Clothing
distributions are held in the fall and spring. On the
scheduled day, the clients can come in without an
appointment and select the clothing they need for the
season. Clients may make appointments to “shop” for
clothing at any time during the year.
Household Items: Furniture & Household Items
Furniture & Household Items Clients may need items that
the PCFP does not normally receive, such as furniture,
pots and pans, towels, sheets, curtains, and other
household goods. These can be requested through the
“Needs Lists” which are distributed to the clients. These
lists are kept on file and the clients are contacted if/when
we receive the item(s).
Crisis Intervention & Referral Services: This program
aims to help clients help themselves by providing
information about other rograms and services that the
client may be eligible to participate in or receive benefits
through. The PCFP also hosts workshops on topics such
as nutrition, positive parenting and money management.
Emergency Energy Assistance: The goal of the
Plainville Fuel Bank is to provide emergency energy
assistance to residents of Plainville who are in crisis and
have exhausted all other resources. In addition to making
critical utility payments, the Plainville Fuel Bank helps its
clients become self-sufficient by negotiating a payment
arrangement that the client can afford and the utility
company will accept.
Holiday Baskets: Holiday Basket Program Holiday
Baskets include all the special fixings for a holiday meal,
including a turkey or chicken, fresh fruit and vegetables
and a week’s worth of groceries. They are distributed
three times a year: Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Much of the food included in the holiday baskets is
donated by the community and local businesses. On
average 150 different families receive baskets each
holiday.
Easter Baskets: Each PCFP registered child receives an Easter basket filled with candy and toys. Local companies collect donations toward purchasing all the needed items, then deliver the baskets-which can number in the hundreds-to PCFP several days prior to the basket distribution date.
Back-to-School: The goal of the “Back-to-School
Program” is to improve the self-esteem and quality of life
of the children in our community by providing them with all
of the items they will need for a positive start to the new
school year. Each qualified participant will be provided
with the age appropriate items they need to begin a new
school year: socks and underwear, a backpack, a lunch
box, school supplies, and a gift certificate for new shoes.
On distribution day, a team of caring volunteers and
Pantry staff help the children and parents select the
necessary school supplies. Because of our program,
these children will arrive at school with a self-confidence
they otherwise wouldn’t have had…they will be wearing
new shoes and carrying a new backpack…they will be
ready to succeed.
Secret Santa: A highlight of the pantry’s Christmas
holiday is the Secret Santa program. Each child age 0 -
16 registered on our program is eligible to participate in
Secret Santa. Each child submits “Wish Lists” including
clothing and shoe sizes and the two things they want most
for Christmas. Each child is adopted by a “Secret Santa”.
“Santa” purchases gifts for the child and returns the
wrapped gifts to the PCFP. The staff of the PCFP gets
the gifts to the parents the week before Christmas so they
can be placed under the tree for Christmas morning. In
2004, senior citizens were added to the Secret Santa
program.
Gift Night Program: Gift night is held in early December to allow the parents to select gifts for their children. Each parent is allowed to choose two gifts for each of their children. All of the toys available through this program are donated by our community.
Community Outreach Program: The PCFP works
collaboratively with over 20 different agencies including
Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), as well as
the State Department of Children and Families (DCF)
and the Department of Social Services (DSS), providing
their clients with clothing, furniture and household items.
The Pantry networks with all of these agencies on an as
needed basis to help families in need. The PCFP also
works with the Plainville school system and the Plainville
town social services department to ensure that no child in
our community goes without the basic necessities of life.
Bread Distribution Program: This entirely volunteer and
donation-powered program provides bread and bakery
items to more than thirty non-profit agencies throughout
Central Connecticut.
Workshops: Workshops on Positive Parenting, Nutrition
and Money Management are held throughout the year.
Birthday Baskets: Baskets supplied through a
partnership with the Plainville Women’s Club, include
cake mix, frosting, candles, invitations and the paper
goods for a birthday party. They are available for each
child registered in our program the month of his/her
birthday. Parents are also able to choose a new toy/item
from our new inventory as a gift for their child’s birthday.
Emergency Energy Assistance/Fuel Bank:
Emergency energy assistance is available to Plainville
and other area residents who are in financial crisis and
who have exhausted all other resources.
If you need energy assistance between November 1 and
April 14, contact the Bristol Community Organization
(BCO) located at 55 South Street, Bristol, CT 06010,
Phone (860) 582-7490. If you cannot speak with a
representative, leave a message with your name and
phone number. They will contact you promptly.
If you are currently a resident of Plainville and have
exhausted all other fuel and energy, contact the Plainville
Community Food Pantry at (860) 747-1919.
Operation Fuel - Click Here for Info and Guidelines
Click Here for additional fuel resources and guidelines.
Women’s, Infants and Children’s (WIC)
The Plainville Community Food Pantry is a regional
hosting site for federal WIC program. WIC is a free
nutrition and health program for Women, Infants and
Children that includes individual nutrition counseling by
registered dietitians. WIC representatives conduct
appointments at the PCFP the first Monday of every
Click Here for WIC How to Apply, Eligibility Requirements
and Income Guidelines.
ESL Classes
In collaboration with Adult Education Program of
Plainville, PCFP hosts ESL. Twelve students from various
countries of origin attend this class at our facility. In
addition, General Education Development (GED)
preparation classes are also available. Plainville
Community Food Pantry through its partnership with
Plainville Adult and Continuing Education provides
English as a Second Language classes. Adult students
learn to listen, speak, read and write English. The
instructor emphasizes language skills students need to
make informed decisions and demonstrates to students
the importance of real communication in the learning
process. Students represent a variety of countries. In the
past, students have come from Peru, Chile, Mexico,
Japan, Ghana, China, Poland, Armenia, Albania, Yemen,
Pakistan and India.
To register for this FREE class, contact Julia M. Marshall,
director, Plainville Adult and Continuing Education at
(860) 793-3209.
G.E.D. Preparation and Adult Basic Education
This tuition-free program provides General Education
Development (GED) or Adult Basic Education
preparation classes. The GED is a test that certifies the
taker has attained American or Canadian high school-
level academic skills. For more information call (860)
793-3209.
Workshops and Referral Services
The Plainville Community Food Pantry provides
intervention services to help clients become more self
sufficient. Interventions may include workshops on
parenting and self esteem, food and nutrition and money
management, in addition to referrals to other community
services or programs.
Contact Us for information.
The Plainville Community Food Pantry realizes that we
can not meet all the needs our clients may have. To assist
in other ways, below are links and telephone numbers to
additional resources.
WORKSHOPS
REFERRALS
Money Management
Nutritional Guidance
Positive Parenting
Connecticut Association for Human Services Publication
