Government

Town Renews Lease with St. Mark’s for Food Pantry through Year’s End; Facility May Be Relocated To Publicly Owned Building in Future

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New Canaan’s food pantry, long operated out of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, may be relocated to a town-owned building following a report due at summer’s end, officials said. A newly appointed committee is studying the condition, needs and uses of 40-plus publicly owned buildings, and the food pantry may at some point move to one of them “that may be under-utilized,” according to First Selectman Rob Mallozzi. “That will be determined as we look at our buildings and what we have,” Mallozzi said during a special meeting Tuesday of the Board of Selectmen, held at Town Hall. “I will heave that in other hands for the time being.”

The comments came as the selectmen approved unanimously a $1,250-per-month lease with St.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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The alpacas of Crajah House on Oenoke Ridge Road on Tuesday were shorn of their thick winter coats—see photos above. Their owner, New Canaan’s Debbie McQuilkin, tells us the process for each “blanket” includes picking out sticks, hay and straw, then going for the secondary areas of the neck, backside and legs. The material is sent to a fiber mill where it’s washed, cleaned again and dyed or made into a yarn that McQuilkin herself chooses—fine knitting or heavy weaving for rugs. It also can be sent back for hand spinning or felting, McQuilkin said. The alpaca fleece is hypoallergenic and contains no lanolin, and it’s naturally fire-resistant.

Around Town

Letter: Great Thanksgiving at the Food Pantry

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Dear Editor,

On behalf of the New Canaan Food Pantry, we would like to thank the United Methodist Church for the generous grant they have given us. This grant, in conjunction with ACME Markets in New Canaan, has made it possible for The Food Pantry to provide our clients with a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner. Our families will have all the items needed to celebrate with a traditional feast —cheese and crackers, stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, carrots, olives, vegetables, butter and pies. Baskin Robbins has also generously donated ice cream for each family. Gazy Farms, members of the New Canaan Farmer’s Market, has provided the fresh vegetables and produce for a special celebration.

Around Town

Town Inks Lease with St. Mark’s for New Canaan Food Pantry Space

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Town officials on Tuesday approved New Canaan’s first-ever lease agreement with the longtime host of a local food pantry that increasingly is in demand. Under the agreement, New Canaan retroactive to Jan. 1 and through Dec. 31 will pay $1,200 per month to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, then $1,250 per month for the next calendar year.