Volunteers from FAITH Food Pantry (FFP), located on the campus of St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, 46 Church Hill Road, will be outside Stop & Shop this weekend, accepting donations for the nonecumenical food pantry.

The pantry's acronym stands for Food Assistance Temporary Immediate Help. Although located on a church campus, it is open to all Newtown residents, regardless of religious affiliation (or lack of).

Residents can visit the pantry on Tuesday mornings between 9:30 and 11:30 am or Thursday evenings between 6 and 7:30 pm.

Volunteers will be outside Stop & Shop, within Sand Hill Plaza at 228 South Main Street, on Saturday, May 4, from 10 am until 2 pm. Set up outside each of the supermarket’s entrance, they will be accepting donations of food and necessities.

FFP volunteer Terry Ferris said this week that the shelves at the pantry are very close to empty again.

“It’s frightening how much we need,” she said. “We’ll accept almost anything this weekend.”

The pantry is reportedly well-stocked with canned vegetables and oatmeal at this time.

Among the list of requested items are bottles of apple or cranberry juice, baked beans, cake mixes and frosting, canned fruit and applesauce, canned meats (stew, chili, hash), canned pasta or ravioli, canned tuna or chicken, cat and dog food (wet and dry), and coffee (cans or bags).

Also, complete pancake mix, condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, salad dressing, oil), cookies, fresh fruit (apples and oranges), hearty soups, juice boxes, and laundry detergent (standard size), macaroni and cheese, paper products (toilet paper, napkins, tissues, paper towels), peanut butter and jelly, rice or pasta mixes, school snacks, syrup, tea bags, and toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc).

Gift cards will also be accepted, and used by volunteers to shop for items still needed at the conclusion of the collection period.

Residents are also welcome to visit FAITH Food Pantry any time it is open to drop off donations. Collections boxes are also set up at a number of locations around town. Among those locations are Barre Boutique, Booth Library, Caraluzzi’s Newtown Market, fisio Physical Therapy, the office of The Newtown Bee, Popowich Chiropractor, and Village Perk.

Contact the food pantry at 203-837-0813 or visit newtownfoodpantry.org for additional information.