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
- Meal Program: We serve about 350 meals every day for breakfast and lunch.
- Shower Program: Our showers are open to guests twice a week.
- Mail Program: This program provides an address for guests to receive Social Security, Medical Cards, and EBT Cards.
- Eat Smart Marketplace: The Eat Smart Marketplace is our Food Pantry that provides 5 days of nutritious meals every week!
- Case Management: Case managers provide individual assistance and partner with other agencies based on guests’ needs.
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
Dave Blagys
Edna Borchetta
Sheila Clancy
Lourdes Delgado
Jack Edwards
Thomas Gaudette
Louise Gidez
Mark Kelly
George Logan
Alberto Martins
Mary Ann O’Connor
Jo Toolan
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
Fall 2022 Newsletter: The Thomas Merton Center
Read the latest newsletter from The Thomas Merton Center.
Rescuing food to combat hunger in Fairfield County
Six hundred pounds of food. Thirty boxes of produce. Dozens of bagels and containers of yogurt. Such surplus quantities of fresh and non-perishable goods could go uneaten and unused in Fairfield County, squandering resources and creating unnecessary waste. Instead, Catholic Charities programs such as the Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport and New Covenant Center in Stamford are benefitting due to a variety of rescue efforts.
Thomas Merton Center Participates in the House of Hope Food Drive
Food insecurities are still a very real concern for many people in greater Bridgeport. With inflation many more people are going hungry. "It's heartbreaking to think that there are people right here in Fairfield County who go to bed hungry every single night," said...