Locations: Cornerstone Foundation Soup kitchen, South Park Inn, Saint Elizabeth House & Friendship Center, Bernard Park

Day Before the Event:

Around 9 p.m. on Friday night, 02/12/21, Ashlei, and I (Katie) gathered into the vehicle and headed to Dunkin to start collecting what would be given as donations on Saturday morning as well as handed out along with our care packages.  When we finished individually wrapping and putting all the treats into plastic bags, we had gathered 15 full trays of bagels, muffins, donuts, and donut holes (munchkins). The total count for this shelter run was: 587 items collected (this count includes the donut holes as well). It was great to know the food that was gathered was not going to go to waste as they had told us there was an excess of treats for that day. 

Day of the Event:

This time while collecting and packaging Donuts at Dunkin Donuts we were excited as we were also able to package over 250 treats and donate them to the Cornerstone Foundation Soup kitchen in Vernon, CT. We are happy that we have found them and we will continue to donate to them on a regular basis.

We are back at it again with our monthly care package handout at Bernard Park in Hartford, CT. We had decided this time to hand out the care packages and treats from the trunk of our cars because of the cold. It was only fair that we feel a little bit of the cold and pain everyone is feeling during this harsh winter season. As we were handing them out many stated they were very grateful that someone was handing out this little care package. Due to it being winter our care packages had an extra touch, which included a pair of socks, reusable cups, hot chocolate packets, and even hot apple cider packets. It was actually funny to find out that the hot apple cider packets were not that but K-cups. Thankfully we were able to hand them out as well as the packets could be opened and used like regular. A little bump on the road but they were all happy to get the care packages. Unfortunately, we were unable to take pictures this time due to the cold, we did do a small facebook live to let everyone know where we were.

For this season as we were so close to Valentine’s Day, we also added an extra item. We hand crafted small pillows for them. We handed out a total of 48 care packages and then took our venture to South Park Inn where we dropped off munchkins and 3 trays of donuts. We also made plans to go there next week and work out our resources and what is needed so we can better assist those around us. We will be there with checklists next week to help us gather more information.  Our final stop was made to Saint Elizabeth House & Friendship Center where we dropped off the rest of our donuts and were able to chat with a lovely woman who was outside when we arrived.    

Until our next event on 02/20/21, we hope to learn more and find new ways to help. Stay Safe! Stay H.O.P.E.F.U.L!