West Haven Councilman Barry Lee Cohen is once again organizing a “West Haven ROCKS WHEAT” food drive on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Off-Shore Restaurant & Lounge parking lot from 10a.m.-1 p.m. The effort brings together local partners, including Yale West Campus.
Located at 852 Jones Hill Road, the restaurant’s parking lot provides a safe, socially distanced opportunity for the local community to donate non-perishable food items to the West Haven Emergency Assistance Taskforce (WHEAT). For the second year running the event is supported by Yale West Campus team members and other volunteers, who will be on hand to request that drivers pop open their trunks for quick retrieval of food donations.
Checks made payable to WHEAT will also be accepted.
As stated on the WHEAT website, food items highly coveted this month include peanut butter, tuna fish, cereal, pasta, jelly, tomato sauce, soups, canned fruits, and veggies. All nonperishable food items are greatly appreciated.
“I couldn’t have received a faster, more enthusiastic response from our partners at Yale West Campus to once again help with this drive and most importantly support Westies in need,” Cohen said.
Yale’s West Campus, which straddles the City of West Haven and the Town of Orange, is participating in the event for the second year. “We know that many in our local towns continue to face difficult times and we want to play a part to support this community initiative. I’m grateful to our partners in West Haven for coming together to help out,” said Meghan Dahlmeyer, Director of Finance and Administration at Yale’s West Campus.
Cohen extended special thanks to Mark Laoue, owner of Off-Shore Restaurant, for once allowing the generous use of his premises.
“A true-blue Westie, Mark’s quiet, yet committed support to West Haven rocks,” he said.
Further information may be obtained by contacting Cohen at 203.645.2913; bcohen@westhaven-ct.gov or Jon Atherton jon.atherton@yale.edu.