Friend,

Before our family sits down at the table together this Thanksgiving, I wanted to send a quick note of thanks to you. These are trying times -- just this month, the President of the United States doubled down on his dangerous and unauthorized military campaign in Latin America, fought to keep food benefits away from SNAP recipients during the government shutdown, and issued death threats against certain members of Congress who dared to criticize his policies. Americans are rightly skeptical of our government's ability to solve problems, big or small. In other words, Congress isn't a functional or happy place these days.

But each week, I take the Amtrak home and get to spend time with my constituents. In traveling around our district, I see how neighbors have stepped up for each other. How donations surge at food pantries just as the Trump Administration tries to take food benefits away. How advocates and activists have worked to keep Connecticut courthouses safe, even as President Trump has jeopardized civil liberties with his cruel ICE crackdown. How teachers, students, and parents continue to invest their time and energy into our public schools, even as President Trump's Education Secretary is hard at work dismantling the Department of Education. 

This year, I'm grateful for the lessons in perseverance and compassion that you have taught me. To that end, I want to share a few organizations that have inspired me by helping local families enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. 

I know these organizations would greatly appreciate your support. 

Bridgeport Rescue Mission

• The ThanksGiving Project provides over 5,000 families in need with a turkey and a bag of fixings so that they can prepare a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal.

Thomas Merton Center

• The Thomas Merton Center is compiling Thanksgiving food bags for clients in the Bridgeport area.

Inspirica

• The Harvest for Hope Food Drive distributes Thanksgiving meals to thousands of families in the Stamford area. 

New Covenant Center

• The New Covenant Center Turkey Drive provides families with a Turkey and a gift certificate for side fixings. 

Open Doors Shelter

• The Open Doors Shelter provides Thanksgiving meals to families in the Norwalk area and offers a cooked turkey dinner to clients who suffer from homelessness.

Person to Person

• Each year, Person to Person distributes roughly 1,200 full Thanksgiving dinners, each including a turkey or chicken and several side dishes. 

Homes with Hope

• Homes with Hope provides non-perishable groceries for families in need and also offers a Turkey dinner to clients struggling with homelessness.

Seymour Oxford Food Bank

• The Seymour Oxford Food Bank, the Little Free Pantry on Skokorat, The Blessing Pantry, and the Oxford Neighbor to Neighbor Pantry are teaming up to provide a Thanksgiving basket to families in need. Donations can be made through their Amazon wishlist.

Operation Hope

• Operation Hope's Food Pantry provides over 150,000 meals a year to our neighbors in need, and their community kitchen provides lunch and dinner for local families.

Happy Thanksgiving,

— Jim