'Biggest turnout so far' helps stock the food pantry

By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — The annual Share the Harvest fundraiser was so busy this year, guests formed a line outside St. Patrick’s Church Hall as they waited to get in.
“This is the biggest turnout so far,” said Amy Eisenberg, executive director of Milford Presents, which organized the event.
One hundred and fifty six dinner tickets were sold, she said, with $2,900 raised that will help feed people in need in the community. Some of the proceeds were donations. The dinner also included a 50/50 cash raffle and other prizes.
Guests tucked into a four-course dinner donated by "Milford’s best restaurants." They walked around the buffet, making their choices. Many came with their own bottle of wine. And many shared tables with friends in an evening of celebration. Musician Leo B played for the diners.
The Ecumenical Food Bank is based in The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Broad Street, where churches of various denominations and other organizations drop off their donations. Placards at the entrance to the hall explained who receives food at the pantry:
Those who have fallen on hard times or a sudden financial setback
Retirees on fixed incomes
People whose jobs pay at the poverty level or below
People unable to live independently
Families at risk
The pantry has been helping local residents like these for the past 25 years.
Last summer, the pantry reached out to kids through its supplemental program and provided 60,000 pounds of groceries.
And 103 families were given Thanksgiving dinner, and 86 were given Christmas dinner.