What's happening Catholic Charities of Fairfield County received a donation of approximately 45,000 pounds of shelf-stable food from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in August 2026, as part of a nationwide.
What's happening
Catholic Charities of Fairfield County received a donation of approximately 45,000 pounds of shelf-stable food from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in August 2026, as part of a nationwide initiative commemorating America's 250th anniversary [3]. About 25,000 of the 45,000 pounds were delivered to the Stamford facility, with the remainder going to the Thomas Merton Family Center in Bridgeport [3]. The food is being stored and distributed through the new facility, which is set to open in June 2026 [1]. This location will serve as the future home of the New Covenant Center, which has operated in Stamford since 1978 [1]. The renovation project, which began in December 2025 after the lease was signed, is being funded by a $5 million renovation effort [1]. The center will expand services including daily meals, food pantries, homebound senior nutrition, congregate dining, job training, case management, and housing referrals [1]. The project is based on the proven model of the Thomas Merton Family Center [1]. A Renovation Launch Celebration was held in January 2026 [2]. The event highlighted the center’s mission to provide not just food, but care, stability, and hope [2].
Community impact and service expansion
The new facility will span 13,500 square feet and is designed to serve more neighbors more fully, with an emphasis on accessibility via public transportation [1]. The project timeline includes a formal opening in June 2026, with the Catholic Charities Stamford Soirée taking place on June 12, 2026 [1]. The center’s leadership team includes Mike Donoghue, Executive Director, and Betsy Lopez, Director of New Covenant Center. The facility’s focus on holistic services—combining food security with job training and housing referrals—suggests a shift toward integrated support systems rather than isolated aid.
Sources
- Catholic Charities of Fairfield County – Stamford Family Center
- YouTube: Renovation Celebration at the future home of the Stamford Family Center
- Diocese of Bridgeport – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Donates 45,000 Pounds of Food
- LinkedIn – Catholic Charities of Fairfield County Post
- City of Stamford – Zoning Board Applications
- City of Stamford – Zoning Board Details
Common questions
What services will the new Stamford Family Center offer?
The center will provide daily meals, food pantries, homebound senior nutrition, congregate dining, job training, case management, and housing referrals—all under one roof in a 13,500 sq ft facility.
Why is the new facility important for Stamford’s future?
It represents a shift toward integrated support systems that combine food, housing, and job training, fostering long-term self-sufficiency and strengthening community resilience across Stamford.
Related on Downtown Stamford
More local context: the Stamford housing market, a block-by-block look at Stamford neighborhoods, and what it's like to live here.
