When Betty Presnell and her son Michael visited FAITH Food Pantry (FFP) last week, their donation put an ongoing bottle and can drive past another significant milestone. Volunteers at the nondenominational food pantry are hoping to see additional residents this weekend when they conduct a drive-thru food drive.

Presnell handed a few envelopes to FFP President Lee Paulsen on January 25, representing the latest financial donation to the pantry by Presnell on behalf of countless others.

“I’m just the messenger, darlin’” Presnell said when Paulsen thanked her. “There are a lot of other people who help make this happen.”

Since July 2020, Presnell has been turning in redeemable bottles and cans, and then donating the funds received through that work. She has often picked up bags filled with the items to be redeemed. Just as often, she finds bags waiting for her at her Nunnawauk Meadows home.

Last week’s donation to FFP represented $6,000 cumulatively donated to that entity.

Among those also benefitting from the ongoing drive, Presnell has donated funds to American Cancer Society, Families United in Newtown, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Nunnawauk Meadows Residents Association, and most recently, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue.

As she receives bottles and cans to turn in, Presnell keeps track of every receipt, often sharing photos on Facebook, and thanking those who provided the bottles and cans.

The funds collected are put into envelopes each time she visits a redemption center. They are never put into a personal account, so when Presnell donates to organizations, the recipients are given all of those separate envelopes filled with currency.

Presnell has said she will continue collecting, redeeming, and donating to FFP and other organizations, for as long as the public supports the effort.

To drop off returnable bottles or cans, visit 1D Nunnawauk Meadows. From Nunnawauk Road, use the second entrance into the complex (driving behind the community building); at the gazebo, look to the right (toward the east-southeast).

Presnell is very active on Facebook, and can be contacted through Facebook Messenger.

Drive-Thru Food Drive, Saturday

FAITH volunteers are hoping to see additional donations — this time the nonperishable kind, although financial ones will also be welcomed — this weekend.

The pantry’s first drive-thru collection of 2022 is planned for Saturday, February 5, from 10 am until noon.

The public is invited to drive behind St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, and watch for signs that will direct them toward the FFP building. There, volunteers will be waiting to unload donations from vehicles. Drivers and passengers are to remain in their vehicles.

FFP is hoping to receive nonperishable foods, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, and pet supplies. The nondenominational food pantry serves any Newtown resident in need. Its name stands for Food Assistance, Immediate Temporary Help.

FFP volunteer Terry Ferris contacted The Newtown Bee this week, ahead of tomorrow’s drive-thru event.

“Our most needed item right now is cat and dog food — both dry food and wet food,” she said.

Ferris also supplied the following wish list of items the pantry currently needs:

*Apple & Cranberry Juice

*Body Wash

*Cleaning Supplies

*Coffee

*Deodorants

*Egg Noodles

*Laundry Detergent

*Liquid Dish Detergent

*Liquid Hand Soap

*Mayonnaise

*Pancake Mix (complete)

*Pancake Syrup

*Paper Towels

*Parmesan Cheese (grated)

*Snacks

*Tissues

*Toothbrushes

Ongoing Opportunities To Help

FAITH Food Pantry is located on the campus of the town’s Catholic church after the parish invited Paulsen and her board to build a permanent home for the pantry there after its previous locations closed.

To make a donation, visit the pantry on Tuesday mornings between 9:30 and 11:30 am or Thursday afternoons between 4:30 and 6 pm. There are donation locations set up around town, including The Newtown Bee office, 5 Church Hill Road; Caraluzzi’s Newtown Market, 5 Queen Street; and Union Savings Bank, 1 Commerce Road.

For those who need to visit the pantry for food or other supplies, appointments are currently required due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Call 203-837-0816 or 203-426-5604 to make an appointment for Tuesday morning or Thursday afternoon. Volunteers will only ask for proof of residency the first time someone visits the pantry.

Visit NewtownFoodPantry.org for additional details, including information on making online donations and the link to use to make a purchase through Amazon Wish List. Items purchased through the wish list are delivered directly to the food pantry.

Associate Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.