page updated 4-4-07

CCA receives many different types of donations from individuals, corporations, community organizations, and churches. Some of the donations are in the form of monetary gifts and grants, and some are actual goods that we distribute to our clients.

When delivering donations of actual goods, please call ahead of time (203-899-2485) to confirm that a staff member will be there to receive them.

Food-Pantry Donations

Many churches and individuals support the Food Pantry by collecting various food items, generally non-perishable staples. For anyone interested in donating food to the CCA pantry, please consider the following items:

• Rice (1 or 2 lb. packages)
• Hot or cold cereal
• 18 oz. or less jelly jars
• Hearty soups with meat
• Canned fruit (peaches, pears, pineapple, etc.)
• Pasta sauce in small jars or cans
• Canned beans (kidney, black, garbanzo or baked)
• Dry beans (1 lb. packages)
• Canned meat dinners
• Beef ravioli
• Spaghetti & meatballs
• Beef stew
• Chili
• Canned tuna (6 oz.) or canned salmon
• 15 oz. peanut butter jars
• Condensed soups with meat
• Canned vegetables (peas, corn or string beans)
• ½ gallon juices
• Dried pasta (especially 1 lb. spaghetti packages)
• 100% fruit juice boxes
• Boxed macaroni and cheese
• Snacks (pudding, Jello, rains or crackers)
• 1 qt. powdered milk packs

• Note: CCA will not accept food items that are
• Already opened
• Past their expiration date
• In rusted or bent cans
• In torn boxes

Kitchen-Ware Donations

CCA’s Kitchen Wares program receives many items that our clients can use in their apartments. For anyone interested in donating kitchen items to CCA, please consider the following items, which should be in good working condition:

• Dishes (dinner plates, small plates, bowls, cups, saucers, etc.)
• Glassware
• Serving bowls and platters
• Pots and pans of all sizes (with lids, if possible)
• Mixing bowls
• Baking pans and tins of all sizes and types
• Casserole dishes
• Flatware (forks, spoons, knives)
• Cooking utensils (mixing spoons, knives, spatulas, whisks, etc.)
• Can openers
• Small appliances
• Toasters or toaster ovens
• Coffee makers
• Small microwaves
• Blenders
• Mixers

Furniture Donations

CCA’s Furniture program receives many items that our clients can use in their apartments. For anyone interested in donating furniture and home furnishings to CCA, please consider the following items:

• Beds (twin, double, queen, trundle, & bunk)
• Table lamps or standing lamps
• Dining or kitchen tables (no glass tops) and chairs
• Occasional chairs
• Bureaus
• Side tables (no glass tops)
• Coffee tables (no glass tops)
• Recliners
• Sofas and sofa beds
• Small book cases
• Small free-standing cabinets
• Small televisions
• Small desks

Note: All donated items should be in good condition. Because most of our clients have small apartments, we do not take extremely large pieces. Also, we do not take baby items (cribs, car seats, strollers, or high chairs).

CCA can arrange for pick up. For more information call CCA’s Furniture Coordinator at (203) 899-2680.

Children’s Books

At CCA, we are always looking for “gently-used” children’s books—especially picture books, storybooks, and early readers—for our “Open Books, Open Minds” program. We also welcome parenting books for the parents.