Before COVID-19 struck, St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church, the Westbrook site for food distribution for the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, provided food to an average of 100 families per week, according to Westbrook Social Services Coordinator Elizabeth Carpenter.

“Last week, there were 255 served,” she said. “Two hundred and fifty-five families were served, up from 100.”

Together with Corey Ehrlich, social worker for all three of Westbrook’s public schools; Jacqueline Ward, director of Westbrook Youth & Family Services; and members of the Visiting Nurses Association, Carpenter is working to alleviate some of this growing need.

“We’ve found families that we know where both parents are out of work,” Carpenter said.

Fortunately, the pantry’s work is aided by a number of efforts.

The United Way of Southeastern Connecticut has a program that offers $200 Visa gift cards to families with no working parents. The organization’s Neighbor to Neighbor Fund works through local organizations, such as Westbrook Social Services, to provide assistance to those in need locally.

While $200 isn’t nearly enough, Carpenter acknowledges, it offers something to help families get by.

In addition, “[t]he Council of Beaches in town has been very generous in helping with supplies” for those suffering the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, she said. The Old Saybrook Rotary Club has supplied her office with restaurant vouchers, as well.

Troop F of the Connecticut State Police has also taken up a collection to provide struggling families with gift cards to local restaurants.

“We did [the collection] throughout the area with our constables,” said Trooper Ben Borelli, who serves with the Westbrook police. “We’re taking donations from troopers and constables. We’re doing okay and we want to give back to the folks that we serve.

“The gift cards are in different donations to give to Westbrook and the other towns of Middlesex County,” he added, noting that purchasing the cards from local restaurants also helps local businesses.

While these efforts continue, Carpenter already has a number of gift cards in her office that she’s endeavoring to distribute.

“There are a lot of families in Westbrook that are out of work and they have kids and they’re struggling terribly,” said Carpenter. “I’m trying to target those people. Because what family wouldn’t want pizza on a Friday night?”

For more information on giving or receiving assistance in Westbrook, contact Carpenter at ecarpenter@westbrookct.us or 860-399-3090, ext. 1154.