Yale West Campus and West Haven Councilman Barry Lee Cohen are holding a “West Haven ROCKS WHEAT,” food drive on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Off-Shore Restaurant & Lounge parking lot from 10–1.
Located at 852 Jones Hill Road, West Haven, 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). Wearing facemasks and gloves, Yale West Campus team members and other volunteers will be at the ready, requesting that drivers pop open their trunks for quick retrieval of food donations.
Checks made payable to WHEAT will also be accepted.
“We know that many in our local towns are facing difficult times this year and we want to play a part in alleviating the impacts of COVID-19 to make sure basic needs are met. I’m grateful to our partners in West Haven for coming together to help out,” said Meghan Dahlmeyer, Lead Administrator at Yale’s West Campus.
As stated on the WHEAT website, food items highly coveted this month include peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, canned green beans, cold cereal, tomato sauce, and soups (all types). All nonperishable food items are greatly appreciated.
Cohen stated, “When I approached Meghan and her staff, I couldn’t have received a faster, more enthusiastic response to help with this drive and most importantly support Westies in need. This unprecedented pandemic has dramatically increased the number of Westies that are having to rely upon WHEAT and other food pantries to put food on their tables while feeding spirits for a brighter, post-pandemic future.”
He added, “I also extend a very special thank you to Mark Laoue, owner of Off Shore Restaurant, for the generous use of his premises. A true-blue Westie, Mark’s quiet, yet committed support to West Haven rocks!”
Further information may be obtained by contacting Jon Atherton jon.atherton@yale.edu or Cohen at (203) 645.2913; bcohen@westhaven-ct.gov..