Volunteers Power nOURish Bridgeport’s Fight Against Hunger

The nonprofit nOURish Bridgeport is an organization rooted in food, powered by volunteers and deeply anchored in the Bridgeport community.

Through a network of 10 diverse programs, the organization unites more than 2,500 youth and adult volunteers in the fight against food insecurity. Their efforts focus on the city’s low-income neighborhoods—areas where residents often live miles from the nearest grocery store.

“Food is a bridge that builds community,” said the Rev. Sara H. Smith, CEO and founder of nOURish Bridgeport, and pastor at the United Congregational Church of Bridgeport.

Located on North Avenue, the nonprofit offers programs centered on food, education, and health, each designed to meet specific community needs.

Among its most impactful initiatives is the Super Food Pantry and Baby Center, which serves more than 3,000 people each week. Families receive perishable and nonperishable food, as well as fresh produce grown at nOURish’s hydroponic farm in Stratford — the first of its kind in Connecticut. The farm also supplies fresh fruits and vegetables to schoolchildren in Bridgeport and Stratford.

However, recent federal budget cuts threaten the future of this work. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has eliminated $10 million in Patrick Leahy Farm to School grants, which once supported initiatives like nOURish’s farm-to-school partnerships. Without those funds, Smith fears the school districts may not be able to maintain their contracts with the nonprofit.

“We rely on those contracts to sustain our farm,” she said. “We’re not trying to make a profit — we’re trying to feed kids and teach them how to eat healthy.”

Further compounding the challenge, food donations from the Connecticut Food Bank, which helps stock the pantry, have also been reduced.

“Do we cut back how many people we serve?” Smith asked. “Do we start limiting what families can take? Do we consider closing our doors?”

Despite these hurdles, the spirit of nOURish remains strong. Every week, volunteers and staff come together to help community members select the food they need—offering more than just groceries. They also provide dignity, support and hope.

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Once a month about nine volunteers from Easton’s Christ Church help prepare and serve meals at nOURish. In March, church volunteers served 187 meals through the Feel the Warmth Dinner and over 30 meals to the local warming shelter for women.

“It’s a wonderful organization that helps support people in need,” said Jim Swann, a Christ Church member who helps coordinate church volunteers. ” You can participate by writing a check or donating diapers, but when you participate with your time, knowing that you are preparing a meal for someone in need is a great experience.”

Volunteers like Sophia Patterson value nOURish’s mission and the resources it provides for the Bridgeport community. She also volunteers for Feel the Warmth, a mobile program that provides hot suppers for those in the community. Volunteers come together to cook meals every Thursday night. The meals are then brought to the Harrison Apartments and distributed to over 250 of Bridgeport neighbors. All meals are cooked using fresh produce from nOURish’s indoor hydroponic farm.

“It is a very well-balanced meal,” said Patterson. “There’s pasta, vegetables and bread. Not a lot of people have the ability to buy groceries let alone actually cook a meal. When you’re working multiple jobs, it’s just not doable for them and because of that, microwave meals are common but not very healthy.”

nOURish also has seasonal programs like Thanksgiving Feast in a Box. This program offers ready-to-cook Thanksgiving dinners to over 500 families in need. That amounts to about 3,500 meals distributed each year from the Thanksgiving Feast program so families can cook the meals in their own home.

Volunteers say that distribution day is one of their favorite days of the year.

Smith is determined to continue nOURish’s mission.

“I’m going to keep feeding people, because around the table wounds are healed, joys are celebrated and troubles are forgotten,” said Smith. “Around food is where we find our community and our best selves.”

If you are interested in volunteering at nOURish Bridgeport, contact the Director of Volunteer Coordination Tshon Davis at Tshon.Davis@nourishbpt.org or visit the nOURish Bridgeport website.

From FCN partner Easton Courier.