The studio had been donating the collected items to the Connecticut Food Pantry, but about four years ago it switched to the Black Rock Food Pantry, General Manager Jennifer Jennings said.
“At the time a family had had their house burned down, and that’s how we came to know about them,” Jennings said. “It’s more local. You know where the food is going.”
Food is collected for the entire month of November for the pantry. One year, Jennings said the studio had so many donations, the bin was filled and the cans and boxes were stacked up the stairway into the studio.
“I think a lot of our students really look forward to having the opportunity to give back in some way and when you have a local company that makes it easy,” Jennings said.
The Black Rock Food Pantry is a nonprofit organization that delivers hundreds of meal each week to those less fortunate. Last year the pantry gave out more than 77,000 meal. Items especially needed this time of year are: peanut butter, jelly, condiments, cereal, canned stews and meals, flour, and butter.
“It really works out well, the classes are generally full,” said Deb Delaney, a teacher at Yoga for Everybody.
So far, the studio hasn’t turned anyone away who attends the Thanksgiving classes. The studio fits 50 students, and two classes will be taught Thursday morning.
Food or cash and check donations will be accepted. The studio is asking for a suggested donation of at least $10 worth of food per student. Greg Barringer will be teaching a class from 7 to 8:15 a.m. and Lauren Lanham will be teaching from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m.
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