About the Cheshire Community Food Pantry
Mission Statement
The Cheshire Community Food Pantry exists to provide dignified food assistance to eligible individuals and families in need, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, or disability. Rooted in empowerment rather than enablement, we support choice, respect, and self-sufficiency for those working toward stability and independence.
The Pantry is sustained by community contributions and the efforts of volunteers dedicated to respectful and equitable service.
Who We Are
The Cheshire Community Food Pantry (CCFP) provides food for Cheshire residents in need. In partnership with interdenominational organizations in Cheshire, the Pantry provides services that improve the quality of life of individuals and families.
The Cheshire Community Food Pantry, Inc., is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations to it are tax-deductible. For every dollar donated, 88 cents goes directly toward serving our clients.
CCFP is different from many food pantries because it uses a client-choice model in which clients are allowed freedom to select their own groceries. This model provides food subsidies to low-income families in crisis, while nurturing their ability to be independent and take control of their life.
Our History
The first organized community food pantry in Cheshire was located at St. Bridget of Sweden Church on Main Street. The tradition of caring for those in need is longstanding at the parish and began with the formation of St. Bridget’s Guild in the fall of 1934, primarily dedicated to serving the needy. Under the direction of Mrs. James H. Darcey, President, the groundwork was established for ongoing service, and in 1985 it was determined that a formal food pantry was necessary to support friends and neighbors in Cheshire.
At the direction of Pastor James Gunnoud and the late Reverend Brian Monnerat, the Pantry provided weekly food assistance to those in need. In 1985, Mary Alice Lee was appointed the first Director. She, along with other volunteers, established a pantry in a locker room near the entrance of St. Bridget School. The Pantry continued operating in that space until 1995, when it moved to a 450-square-foot freestanding building near the southeast corner of the school parking lot. This building served as the Pantry for the next fifteen years. Subsequently, parishioners Judy Proulx and Harriet Rybicki were appointed as directors.
In the summer of 2009, Pastor Robert Ricciardi asked several parish and community members to serve on an advisory committee to assess the needs and logistics of pantry operations. After reviewing the situation, the committee determined that, due to the economic downturn and the resulting increased demand for services, particularly among senior citizens, and the physical limitations and location of the existing St. Bridget facility, an alternate location needed to be explored.
In 2011, the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, Inc., was established as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN 27-3870101), succeeding the Food Pantry at St. Bridget. With continued growth and support, the Pantry launched a capital campaign to raise funds for and construct the 6,000-square-foot facility in which it operates today. Daily operations are carried out by approximately 75 volunteers and are managed by an Executive Director and Pantry Manager.
Board Profiles
Candace Nesbit* – Co-President
Candy Nesbit, a native of Cheshire and local business owner, has been actively involved in community service since 1980. Candy is a Founding Director of the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, Inc., and the Chairperson of the March Madness Fundraising Committee. Candy also serves on the Technology Committee and Building Committee.
Tina Kurtz – Co-President
Tina Kurtz, a lifelong Cheshire resident, has been involved in community service since 1999. Tina began serving the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, Inc., in 2012 as a volunteer on the March Madness Fundraising Committee. In 2013, Tina was invited to serve on the Board of Directors and serves on the Fundraising Committee and Building Committee.
Mark E. Wagner* – Vice President, Operations
Mark Wagner, a resident of Cheshire since 1987, serves as Vice President of Operations for the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, Inc. Mark began his tenure at the Pantry after retiring as District Manager from Stop and Shop in 2009. He serves on the Executive Committee and Building Committee.
James Mitchell, CPA – Treasurer
Jim Mitchell is a Certified Public Accountant and has offices in Newington, CT. Jim joined the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, Inc., Board of Directors in the Fall of 2025. Jim serves on the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, and Building Committee.
Lianne Fuller – Secretary
Lianne has been a Cheshire resident for over 30 years and has been actively involved in her church, St. Bridget of Sweden Parish as a member of the Finance Council and as a volunteer at other faith-based organizations. Food insecurity is a cause that she is very passionate about. She serves as a cook at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen and as a volunteer at the Cheshire Community Food Pantry. She was elected to the Board of Directors of the Pantry in November 2021 and Secretary in March 2022.
Sean Fogarty – Director
Sean Fogarty has served as Manager of Ion Bank’s Cheshire branch since 2014 and has been a member of the Cheshire Community Food Pantry Board of Directors since 2018, including service on the Finance Committee. Sean believes that serving the Cheshire community and its residents aligns with both Ion Bank’s commitment to community service and his own values. He is also active in the community through his involvement with the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, where he served on the Board of Directors for nearly six years. In addition, he currently serves on the board of Abilities Without Boundaries.
Karen Hays – Director
Karen Hays has lived most of her life as a member of the Cheshire community. She has been a volunteer with the CCFP since 2015 and became a member of the board in 2019. Karen serves on the CCFP Fundraising Committee and is also active with the Benefit Others Foundation.
Kate Jerome – Director
Kate is a native of Cheshire and currently resides here. Kate has been a social worker in Connecticut for the last 17 years. Kate is a member of the Board of Directors for Cheshire Community Food Pantry, Inc and is active in fundraising in Cheshire and surrounding areas.
Leslie Marinaro – Director
Leslie has been very active in community service for the Town of Cheshire and in the State of Connecticut almost her entire life. Currently she serves on the CCFP Board and the Annual Benefit Committee while working full-time for Lincoln Financial Advisers and as a Partner in her family’s business 581 Highland Avenue Partnership. She is very active in her support of our veterans and serves as Vice Chair for the Army Air Force Roundtable of CT, is on the Cheshire Veterans Council, and the Annual Memorial Day Parade Committee.
Reverend Jeffrey V. Romans – Director
The Reverend Jeffrey V. Romans was appointed Pastor of Saint Bridget Parish on May 17, 2014, and shortly thereafter began serving on the Board of Directors of the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, Inc. In 2017, he became the Founding Pastor of the newly established Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish. Father Romans considers serving the Cheshire community, particularly helping to meet the needs of its residents, to be an important part of his ministry. Since 2014, he has served on various committees at CCFP and currently serves on the Finance, Personnel, and Building Committees.
Michael Mongillo – Executive Director
Jennifer Klein – Pantry Manager
*Founding Director