Emanuel Food Pantry

Since its founding in 2019, the Emanuel Food Pantry has become an integral part of our ministry in Frog Hollow and the city of Hartford. Through generous donations form the Emanuel community and a partnership with Connecticut Foodshare, we are able to provide over 400 households, individuals, and families with pantry essentials, toiletries, and personal items every week.

The Food Pantry relies on contributions from our community and partners. If you would like to donate to the Food Pantry, use this link. Click the drop-down arrow in the “Give to” box and select “Emanuel Food Pantry.” Any amount helps our ministry serve our neighbors in need. For more information on our program, please contact our Outreach Coordinator Naomi Ngoma at naomi.ngoma@emanuelhartford.org. 

Pantry Services

Please view the calendar below to see our days of operation. We are open to distribute groceries on Sundays from 12pm-1pm and the second and fourth Tuesday of the month 2pm-4pm. Tuesdays are reserved for those 62 and older. We are closed for distribution the first Sunday of every month. If you require special items (diapers, tampons, pads, ethnic food), please contact Naomi before visiting the Pantry.

Volunteers

Anyone over the age of 12 (with parental consent before age 18) is eligible to volunteer at the Emanuel Food Pantry. First-time volunteers are required to bring a school- or government-issued ID and shadow someone for their initial shift.

Use the “Volunteer Sign-Up” link below to sign up for a shift. First-time volunteers are required to complete the Volunteer Form linked below. If you have volunteered with the Food Pantry before, we ask that you please complete the Volunteer Form if you have not filled it out before.

Volunteer Role Descriptions

Pantry coordinator (flexible / before Sunday distribution)
Volunteers may inspect and sort donations for quality, expiration dates, and packaging damage. Compost damaged fruits and produce. They may also sort food into categories for bagging. Manage pantry area.

Check – in (Sundays and Tuesdays)
First point of contact for clients. Oversee check in process and traffic flow. Open and close gate. Gather information from customers to determine eligibility to receive food, Provide friendly and accurate responses to client’s questions.

Distribution (Sundays)
Set up tables, Helping distribute food to community members, offer customer choice of meat (based on availability) according to household size, Keep the food distribution area clean and free of spills and distribute based on availability.

Floater (Sundays)
Fill in various roles. Restock distribution table, inspect and sort donated products, Assists donors with unloading food, and records poundage (if available) or food donations.

Bagging (Flexible before Sunday distribution)
Volunteers may bag food items like bread and fresh produce. Assemble boxes of food according to guidelines based on household size and availability.

Unloading (Tuesdays)
Volunteers unload food truck deliveries from local businesses and partners.

Shopping assistant (Tuesdays)
Volunteers may help customers with their shopping needs, handle payments, and build rapport with clients. Help keep shelves organized, clean, and well-stocked. They may also stock shelves as needed.

Deliveries (Sundays)
Volunteers may deliver meals to people with disabilities, health conditions, or the elderly. They may also deliver food to distribution areas or assist with food donation pick-ups.