A Birthday...
If there is one individual that embodies the dedication, practicality, laughter and all-around greatness of Daily Bread's volunteers, it is the legend that is Sarah Swan. An inspiration to us all, Sarah turned 89 on October 13, an occasion too momentous not to mark with a little celebration at the end of our distribution.
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At the very next distribution after Sarah's birthday celebration, we had another ceremony, though this time it was a bittersweet occasion. With her upcoming move away from Danbury, Hansel Scherwenik will no longer be a regular fixture at every distribution. Hansel has been an amazing friend of Daily Bread for over ten years, serving as a director, leader of our Guest Registration team, and always making sure we are doing the right thing. Quite simply, another Pantry legend! We will miss you Hansel, but also know in our hearts you will be back from time to time to make sure we are not going completely off the rails.
...and a Goodbye
DAILY BREAD VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BEST!
October 26, 2021
Susan Medford and Debbie Fantel taking a short break from holding onto their tent
I had a whole different "Feature Article" written for this Newsletter, but I have just binned the thing. It was long and boring, but loyal readers will know that has hardly stopped me in the past.
What made me make a last-minute switcheroo was today's distribution. Yes, we had to abandon proceedings shortly after we started, but the truly amazing thing was the dedication of the team. Despite torrential rain and tent-destroying winds, EVERYONE tried their very best to carry on. Even more impressive, everyone retained their good humor to the last.
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We have held distributions in horrendous conditions before, but this was definitely something else. Daily Bread volunteers are simply the best, and I am very proud to be part of such a group. My sincere and heartfelt thanks to:
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Andrea deLange
Bob Lenz
Debbie and Ken Fantel
Elaine Thorne
Elizabeth Day
Etta Kantor
Gene Bonney
Gerry Hecht
Gladys Alimonte
Jane Alexander
Jessica Feijoo
Juan Medrano
Julie Johson
Kaye Wood
Kurt Dyer
Lisa Tigre
Maria Johnson
Marinete Cunha
Marybeth Alpuche
Mark Silverman
Mercy Yayra Dufe
Meri Beth Geiwat
Pattie Thompson
Pete Jeffrey
Sarah Swan
Susan Medford
Tom Buell
Of course, these are just the (un)fortunate souls who were on duty today (and if I have inadvertently missed your name off this list, please let me know and I will add it). I am confident any one of our many other volunteers would have served just as admirably had they been called on to do so today.
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Volunteer Spotlight - September/October 2021
In this issue, the volunteer spotlight falls on our Volunteer Coordinator extraordinaire Marybeth Alpuche. Who does not love receiving that "Hello Everyone!" text on a Monday or Thursday afternoon confirming that you are a Chosen One, privileged to serve at the upcoming distribution, whether you like it or not??
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As if gathering 25+ volunteers together every few days wasn't enough ("herding cats would be easier"), Marybeth recently agreed to serve on Daily Bread's Board and fill the role of Secretary vacated by Rose Anne Benvenga. A class act through and through, the Pantry is incredibly lucky to have such a dedicated volunteer serve in all three of these critical leadership positions. Not to mention pitching in with every imaginable task at just about every distribution.
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Although she is far too polite to insist on it herself, please make her Volunteer Coordinator job just a little bit easier by making full use of the Sign-Up tool we use to staff distributions, and being as flexible as possible about your assigned role.
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Thank you, Marybeth!!!
Since the end of June, we have seen a fairly steady uptick in guest numbers. While the year-to-date trend is still slightly downwards, the line has flattened considerably compared with the same chart presented in the last Newsletter. It is very hard to be sure what drives our numbers - so many factors are at play - but while in June it seemed possible we might be seeing around 100 or so individuals at each distribution by the end of the year, it now seems far more likely the number will still be closer to 200.
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With the support from Connecticut Foodshare, our Food Bank partner, and all the amazing help from donors and volunteers, I have no doubt we can meet any reasonably foreseeable sustained demand. But with numbers at current levels, any prospect of moving away from our "Grab & Go" model, let alone a return to in-Pantry distributions, still seems a long way off.
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That said, the Board continues to look at ways to better serve all our guests in this "new normal." Stay tuned!
Pantry News Bites
First off, it is my sad duty to report that the Green Monster - that faithful beast of burden that spent its golden years schlepping just about every comestible you can think of from A to B, B to A, and sometimes even B to B (reasons) - has passed into that happy scrapyard in the sky. A moment's silence, please, to contemplate the fragility and brevity of vehicle life.
Parteeeee!!! Sometime between the last Newsletter and this one, volunteer Elizabeth Day and husband Greg hosted a little shindig at their lovely home. A good time was had by all, especially when the Prosecco started flowing...
Donations of food sometimes come from surprising sources. A month or so ago we got a call from a production company doing a promotional shoot for Velveeta Cheese. They had an absolute mountain of leftover "Liquid Gold" on the (metaphorical) cutting room floor. Needless to say, we were more than happy to take it off their hands! Many thanks to Sam and Laura Kaplan of The Kaplan Studio for thinking of us! Check out the great work of Sam and Laura here: https://thekaplans.studio/MOTION/thumbs
Visit our website and Socials for more updates!
You don't have to wait for the Newsletter to hear about recent donations, happenings at distributions, or other events. Although it isn't always updated in real-time, most things eventually make their way onto the "Happenings" page of our website. Or get down with the kids and follow us on Instagram (not much there right now, but there will be!). Old school? - we're on Facebook too.
Board Update: August - October 2021
Just because there has been a bit of a gap in Newsletters, it doesn't mean the wheels have not been turning in the corridors of power at Daily Bread headquarters. To start with, we have two new Board members:
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Marybeth Alpuche - no introduction needed here for anyone who has helped at a distribution in the last18 months or more. But if you haven't, Marybeth is the extremely deserving subject of this Newsletter's Volunteer Spotlight.
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Sandra Ferreira-Molina - Sandra has held numerous leadership positions in public service, including roles focusing on healthcare and workforce development. She is currently the Deputy CEO for Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity (LEAD).
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In other news, we have found a new Treasurer who will be joining the Board shortly! But to spread out the excitement a little, you will have to wait until the next Newsletter to learn more. Expect to soon find out everything you've always wanted to know about the Pantry's most guarded secret- where the money goes!
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With new arrivals, there have been two departures.
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As mentioned elsewhere, Hansel has decided to retire from the Board in light of her move away from the Danbury area. Hansel has provided stellar service to the Board for many years in addition to her many other contributions to the success of the Pantry. From my personal standpoint, I have greatly appreciated her guidance (and occasional much-deserved shellacking) as I got my feet under the table as President.
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Rose Anne Benvenga has resigned from the Board and as Secretary, also after many years of valuable service. Rose Anne, who as many of you will know continues to help with pre-distribution bag packing and other behind-the-scenes but crucial work, recently broke her ankle as is currently on the Daily Bread Disabled List. If you would like to send her your best wishes and commiserations on this misfortune (incurred putting up Halloween decorations, no less), let me know and I will provide contact details.​
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As always, I'm including the Agendas for all meetings since the last Newsletter in case you have any interest at all in what thrilling topics get discussed when the Board gets together.
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Last, I am pleased to note that, for the first time since the start of the Pandemic, the Board actually met in person! October's meeting was held in Sandra's swanky new LEAD facility right on Main Street, Danbury. Despite the meeting running well past my customary bedtime, it was very productive, at least in the scheme of these things, with a totally different vibe than in the Zoom-O-Verse. I hope we will be able to continue to meet in this way in the future.
