Contact Ron Robinson if you can lend a hand.
Category: Community Service
Jeff Lee
Chairman
Member teams sort food donations at the Connecticut Foodshare site once a month.
John Mitman describes the multiplier effect of direct cash contributions to Connecticut Foodshare
Salvation Army
Larry Carr, Chairman
Old Guard has traditionally staffed the kettle at the LaSalle Road post office on Saturdays during the holiday season.
Seniors Job Bank
Bernie Weiss – Chairman
The non-profit Seniors Job Bank is a valued resource for the entire Hartford region. It connects people over 50 who want or need to work with businesses, households, and other employers that have work to be done. SJB maintains a registry of over 800 experienced jobseekers representing a wide range of skills and talents, blue and white collar. While most are looking for part-time, temporary, or single project positions, some take longer term assignments.
Supported by philanthropic grants and donations from companies, individuals and families, the Seniors Job Bank provides its service for free: there are no fees – to jobseekers or employers – for helping them find one another.
The Old Guard has long been a key supporter of the Seniors Job Bank, supplying knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers who in many cases have served as SJB Board members and officers.
The team:
Bill Pickens
Bernie Weiss
Bob Cave
Clem Sayers
Jim Doran
Bob Calef
Meals on Wheels
Dale Richter – Chairman
Since its 1966 founding, Old Guard has delivered meals. Over 40 members currently take turns three days a week. Old Guard delivered 4030 meals in 2023!
Monthly assignments:
UConn Health Center
Bill O’Connor Chairman
Old Guard members have contributed over 35,000 hours at the UConn Musculosketal Institute information desk.
(Post-Covid reactivation under way)
Habitat for
Humanity
Ron Robinson, Chairman
Old Guard members join others in the construction of new homes over one or two days.
Volunteers limited.
Old Guard volunteers also assist at Habitat ReStore, a thrift store located in Bloomfield for building materials and more. (Press button below to sign up.)
Food Bank
Lou Aiello, Mike Feehan
General Background Information
The need for food assistance in Connecticut is still on the rise.
For the past 3 years prices have risen significantly and aren’t expected to come back down. As a result, many people, especially those of least means, have cut back on healthy food to pay for other essentials like rent and utilities.
Meanwhile, Old Guard donations to Connecticut Foodshare drop off over each summer. This is normal, but continually rising prices mean that it is more important than ever that Old Guard members resume our donations this fall.
Over 16% – 1 out of every 6 – Connecticut children are considered food insecure. Food insecure people are those who do not have reliable access to nutritious food they can afford. Every dollar we give helps these children and their families.
It’s important to know that grocery stores and other food retailers sell food to Foodshare at an approximate 80% discount. So every dollar of donations to Foodshare, enables them to buy $5 worth of food. That’s why we multiply the value of our donations by 5Xs when we donate thru Foodshare.
From time to time, Foodshare is given a matching grant that is open for a specific, short time. We try to alert members to these opportunities right away via email, because they are time-sensitive. Application of any such matching to our donations increases their value above 5Xs
How to donate to a food charity in Central Connecticut
Donations to Connecticut Foodshare
Website: www.ctfoodshare.org
Regular mail: Connecticut Foodshare
PO Box 150526
Hartford, CT 06115-0526
Phone # (203)-469-5000
Donations to West Hartford Foodbank
Website www.westhartfordct.
Regular mail: The Town that cares
West Hartford Social Services
50 South Main Street room 130
West Hartford, CT. 06107
Phone # Susan Oslander (860)-561-7580
Donations to Loaves and Fishes
Website: loavesap@sbcglobal.
Regular mail: Loaves and Fishes
646 Prospect Street
Hartford, CT. 06105
Phone (860)524-1730
Donations to The House of Bread
Website: info@hotbread.org
Regular mail: The House of Bread
27 Chestnut Street
Hartford, CT
Phone: (860)278-3561
If you donate directly to the food charity of your choice, please remember to
(a) advise the Food Charity that you are an Old Guard member
(b) Let Lou Aiello or Mike Feehan know of your contribution
This is to help keep track of the total Old Guard impact in our community
Thank you, Lou