John Manicelli Photo
During a Saturday morning rainstorm, around 20 masked volunteers huddled under tents, collecting drop-off donations for a food drive organized by the Hamden Republicans and sponsored by the food collective Home Cooking in America.
All donations, whether in the form of cash or non-perishables, directly supported St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen and the Connecticut Food Bank.
Founders of Home Cooking in America Sheryl and John Manicelli.
Doug DeCerbo, chair of the soup kitchen, recalled how in the early stages of the pandemic, his “first thought was to close the soup kitchen.”
However, as Covid-19 placed more financial pressures on members of the community, it became clear that closing was not the answer.
The kitchen instead adopted new practices to try to keep everyone involved safe: they set up tents throughout the church parking lot, purchased take-out containers, and began regularly serving meals everyday.
DeCerbo estimated that they now feed more than 100 people on a daily basis.
“We say grace before meals; it’s a community,” he said, before conceding many of the difficulties that the organization has faced.
“Resources are so stretched out,” DeCerbo explained. “More and more people need food. The question becomes am I gonna pay my rent or am I gonna eat and feed my kids?”
The kitchen typically gets their groceries from Stop and Shop and the CT Food Bank. But as supplies run low and fewer people are able to find the means or mindset to donate their own food and resources, DeCerbo and his team have struggled more than usual to provide.
At the same time, more people are in need of the services offered by the soup kitchen.
With schools closed, more children have been showing up for free lunches. DeCerbo noted that throughout the crisis, it has also been difficult to get press and to draw attention to the kitchen’s efforts.
They are currently seeking out volunteers to help with fundraising, grant writing, and other work that can be done remotely. “Any way anyone can help is appreciated,” DeCerbo remarked.
Erin O’Connor Photo
Lead organizer Alice Sette, third from the left, stands with 10 other volunteers.
John and Sheryl Manicelli, creators of the food platform “Home Cooking in America,” were two Hamden residents who caught on to the town’s need for nourishment.
Their cooking group started four weeks ago; it already has 6,000 members from over 12 different countries. The group is focused on providing accessible and healthy recipes for those without “Martha Stewart” credentials.
John observed that “everyone’s cooking right now” and said that his work is aimed at supporting “passion in the kitchen.”
Now more than ever, he is also reminded of those who do not have homes, funds, and or food; for many there is more anxiety about cooking and finding the next meal than there is culinary excitement.
St. Ann Soup Kitchen Chair Doug DeCerbo.
John Manicelli Photo
The couple decided to team up with the Hamden Republicans, who have been working with other charitable organizations throughout the pandemic, to show up for those being hit the hardest by the virus.
The chair of the Hamden Republicans, Frank LaDore, revealed that he has reached out to Sean Grace, leader of the Hamden Democrats, to suggest the two groups come together to co-lead another food drive in the future; look out for announcements in the coming weeks.
Congressional candidate Margaret Streicker with Hamden GOP Chair Frank LaDore.
Margaret Streicker, a real estate developer opposing incumbent U.S. Rep. DeLauro for the Third District U.S. House of Representatives seat, also wandered under the cramped tents, followed by a photographer capturing snapshots of her in front of the piles of Cheerios, Kraft Mac and Cheese, and Maruchan ramen.
When asked about the national partisan divide about responding to the pandemic, she wrapped her sheer blue scarf around her face, nose and mouth still visible through the fine fabric, and stated: “Safety is a national unity issue. Together, we can reopen the economy safely and swiftly.”