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MissionHistoryHow FISH WorksBoard of DirectorsStats and Community Impact
FISH’s mission is to deliver hope and groceries to our homebound neighbors in Greater New Haven. We deliver free bags of nutritionally sound groceries to households in New Haven. Our clients are unable to access walk-in or mobile pantries due to disability, age, or other mobility impediments and cannot afford an adequate supply of food. FISH is the only agency in the area to deliver free food directly to clients’ front doors. FISH of Greater New Haven remains a social service organization that is non-profit and non-denominational. FISH relies on contributions from volunteers from the community to serve over 900 individuals every month.

FISH is a private, nonprofit and non-denominational social service organization. The idea of FISH started from a network of neighbors helping neighbors that started in 1961 in Oxford, England. The fish emblem that they chose is an ancient symbol of concern and caring. We remain committed to helping our neighbors.

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.

2020 Board Members

    • Sarah Welinsky, President
    • Daniel Shetler, Vice President
    • Robert Sigler,  Co-Treasurer
    • Edward Simon, Co-Treasurer
    • John Cesaroni
    • Louis Perno
    • Malynda Mallory
    • Gabrielle Joyce
    • Sunny Nariyani
  • 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 Connecticut 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 50 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