MEALS, SHELTER AND SUPPORT
Thomas Merton Family Center
Bridgeport (Greater Bridgeport area)
The Thomas Merton Family Center is committed to providing a loving, safe and hope-filled community atmosphere that responds to the needs of its guests. Respecting the dignity of each person, we reflect to the individual and the community our shared responsibility to love and support one another. We believe the sharing of a hot meal is an invitation to come in and share in a place where one can belong; respect and love are mutually given and received; each person is valued and not to be judged; and healing life’s hurts is possible with people who care. Collaboration with other agencies and people is essential to meeting the needs of those we serve.
Services
- Dining Services:
- Serving breakfast & lunch daily from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
- Over 300 guests served each day.
- Connie’s Eat Smart Food Pantry:
- Among the largest in Bridgeport, provides 5 days of nutritious meals each week.
- Guests select groceries with dignity in a grocery store setting.
- New cooking classes for healthy eating and community-building.
- Case Management:
- Helping guests break poverty cycles through intake assessments, action plans, resource connections, and advocacy.
- Mail Program:
- Provides a secure mailing address for those without one, enabling access to Social Security, Medical, and EBT cards.
- Shower Program:
- Warm showers, clean towels, toiletries, and new socks, underwear, and t-shirts provided to guests.
- Immigration Legal Services:
- DOJ-accredited Catholic Charities team offers affordable, reliable legal counseling to navigate citizenship and family reunification.
- Housing Assistance:
- Support in finding housing for homeless and housing-insecure guests, managing limited resources.
- Partnerships and Future Collaborations:
- With Southwest Community Health Center, CT State Community College, STRIVE/Career Resources Job Training, ESL and Financial Literacy Classes.
Events
Stay tuned for our upcoming events!
Who to Contact
Main: (203) 367-9036
Fax: (203) 367-8828
Director, Nick Martinez
[email protected]
Donor Relations, Marianne Kahn
[email protected]
Volunteer Coordinator, Karen Frissora
[email protected]
Location
1406 State Street
Bridgeport, CT 06605
Office Hours
Monday-Friday
8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Service Hours
Monday – Friday:
Breakfast: 9:00 am to 10:00 am
Lunch: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Tuesday, Thursday:
Shower Program
Eat Smart Food Pantry Schedule
The Thomas Merton Family Center Food Pantry will be open for shopping on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Under the new schedule, we will be dividing shopping days by last name. Each family will still shop just once a month. To find yourshopping day, please see the chart below:
TUESDAYS: Last names beginning with A, B, C, D, E, F, G
WEDNESDAYS: Last names beginning with H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P
THURSDAYS: Last names beginning with Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
The pantry will hold open registration for new families every Monday from 10 am to 1 pm. We will no longer require advance appointments for registration.
Thomas Merton Family Center Advisory Council
Edna Borchetta
Sheila Clancy
Lourdes Delgado
Jack Edwards
Thomas Gaudett
Louise Gidez
Mark Kelly
George Logan
Fred Lord
Alberto Martins
Bill Tommins
Jo Toolan
Darren Toth
Alexandros Valiantis
Stories from Thomas Merton Family Center
Watch the videos below to learn more about how Thomas Merton Family Center makes a difference in the lives of guests.
MORE FROM THOMAS MERTON FAMILY CENTER
Thomas Merton Family Center opens its doors at 1406 State Street, Bridgeport
The new location of the Thomas Merton Family Center held its grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday. The newly built center aims to provide essential services to the homeless and working poor including hot meals, health care and job training.
Cutting the Ribbon on a Place of Hope and Hospitality
The dedication of the new Thomas Merton Family Center in Bridgeport was an occasion to celebrate Catholic social service, charitable giving, and the power of partnering with other health and social service providers to serve the most vulnerable in the Greater Bridgeport area.
Merton dining hall to be named after Father Charles Allen, SJ
Catholic Charities has announced that it will name the dining hall of the new Thomas Merton Family Center for Father Charles Allen, SJ, longtime assistant to the president of Fairfield University, and friend of Merton Center.