The Washington Council of Congregations (WCOC) will hold its fourth Drive-Thru
Food Drive on Saturday, October 3 from 10:00-2:00 at a new site, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 34 Green Hill Road, (Rt. 47) in Washington Depot.

Donors are asked to remain in their cars while volunteers (wearing gloves and masks) remove the contributions from their vehicle’s trunk or back seat.
Donated items should include shelf-stable food in boxes and cans (unexpired, please), personal care and household cleaning items. Monetary donations (checks and cash) will be welcome. Checks may be payable to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish with WCOC in the memo. All proceeds will benefit the Washington-Warren and New Milord Food Banks. These food banks have experienced dramatic increases in use since the spread of COVID-19. The WCOC encourages our community to give generously to help our neighbors in need.

The Council consists of the seven established religious congregations in the Town of Washington who are working together for the benefit of the community. They include First Congregational Church of Washington, the Greater Washington Coalition for Jewish Life, New Preston Congregational Church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church and Salem Covenant Church. One congregation takes the lead with the food drive each time, but all are encouraged to provide volunteers to help.

In addition to Drive-Thru Food Drives, the WCOC has undertaken other projects since its formation this spring:

Fresh produce collection: At the weekly Farmer’s Market at the Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens in Washington Depot generous shoppers and farmers donate produce and other market products to be crafted into healthy meals for those in need by the Community Culinary Institute of Northwest CT in New Milford. WCOC has a representative on site each Saturday from 10:00-1:00 to receive and deliver produce and monetary donations.
Blood drives: WCOC will be hosting Red Cross blood drives at St. John’s Episcopal Church to support our local hospitals in this time of pandemic. Watch for more details.

Information: The members of the Council have also agreed to pass along information to their congregations about other efforts in our community, such as those of Judea Gardens, Camp Washington’s meals for the poor and the Literacy Volunteers on the Green in New Milford. The goal is to break down the parochial walls that often divide us and keep us from working together for the common good.

For more information about the Washington Council of Congregations and how you can become involved, please contact the office of any of its members.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
34 Green Hill Road
Washington Depot, CT 06794

Contact: Janet Bloch
[email protected]
860-355-9579