FISH came to New Haven in 1968. It was organized by a group of concerned members of Saint John’s Episcopal Church in North Haven, Dunbar United Church in Hamden, and Christian Community Action Agency in New Haven. These individuals wished to begin a program for serving the needy in the community so FISH became formally incorporated on February 21, 1968, at a meeting held in the storefront of Christian Community Action.
In the beginning, volunteers provided hot meals, transportation to medical appointments, baby-sitting and accommodations in emergency situations. Volunteers offered help 24 hours a day through a telephone answering service. Since other agencies now provide many of these services, FISH continues its services by providing free bags of non-perishable groceries directly to the homes of people in need of our assistance.

2019 Board Members
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- Sarah Welinsky, President
- Daniel Shetler, Vice President
- Robert Sigler, Co-Treasurer
- Edward Simon, Co-Treasurer
- Susan Redente
- John Cesaroni
- Louis Perno
- Malynda Mallory
- Dominic Woolfrey
- Gabrielle Joyce
- Presidents Emeriti: Steven Werlin, Susan Redente
- Treasurers Emeriti: Norman Choiniere, John Gallagher
- FISH is a pantry that delivers to 445 households each month,representing over 900 individuals
- 39% of our clients are senior citizens, and 26% are children.
- We partner with several social service agencies to pack grocery bags & make deliveries. These agencies specialize in teaching life skills to the developmentally disabled
- We leverage each dollar donated for maximum effect: purchasing through the Ct. Food Bank and organizing food drives with local partners and businesses.
- On average, we purchase one bag of groceries for a little more than $9.00
- We partner with local faith based organizations for ongoing, annual food drives
- We have been serving needy families and individuals in the New Haven area for over 48 years
- We are part of the City of New Haven 211 Hotline
- We partner with other pantries and soup kitchens during the Stop Hunger Awareness campaign each September
- We utilize volunteers for deliveries including retirees, Alders & students
- Together with the partnership of the USDA & the CT Food Bank, we deliver food to low income seniors