Building a Community That Cares: Torrington Dems Volunteer at Community Kitchen

On Saturday, July 19, members of the Torrington Democratic Town Committee rolled up their sleeves and volunteered at the Torrington Community Soup Kitchen.

This nonprofit plays a critical role in our city, serving over 140,000 meals annually, entirely funded by private donations, to people across Litchfield County. Every day, they open their doors to men, women, and children who need a hot, nutritious meal. No paperwork. No judgment. Just dignity and kindness.

As part of our service, TDTC members helped serve over 60 meals during Saturday’s lunch. Among the volunteers were three of our newly endorsed 2025 municipal candidates, including Stephen Ivain for Mayor.

While serving food was rewarding in itself, the deeper value was in listening—meeting the staff, connecting with the people they support, and better understanding the challenges facing some of our most vulnerable neighbors.

The Community Kitchen staff are nothing short of extraordinary: insightful, hardworking, and compassionate. And the guests? Gracious and appreciative, proof that kindness never goes unnoticed.

More Than Just a Day of Service

In addition to volunteering, the Torrington DTC collected nearly 70 pounds of food this month through our July food drive, helping meet urgent needs at the Kitchen.

And our connection doesn’t stop there—four DTC members currently serve on the board of the Community Kitchen, working year-round to support its mission. This is more than charity. It's commitment.

Why We Show Up

By volunteering, we seek not only to lend a hand, but to learn from those doing the work, to understand the mission, the needs, and the people being served. That’s how we inform our policy, strengthen our values, and build a local government that reflects the heart of Torrington.