Providing the most basic of human needs - Food, shelter, and hope
to families, veterans, and individuals
FISH NWCT appreciates and depends on the generosity of community neighbors to support our food pantry and homeless emergency shelter programs. We serve people of all ages - from infants to seniors.
Downloadable Wishlists:
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Standard, Year-Round Food Drive:
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As of January 2026, we would love donations of Baked Beans, Chef Boyardee, Spaghettios, Chili, Refried Beans, Beef Stew, Canned Fruit, Canned Peas, Granola bars, Protein bars, Packages of Noodle & Rice Sides, Ramen Noodle Soup. We also welcome fresh fruit, fresh veggies, and food that must be refrigerated or frozen.
Fabric:
If somebody has 6 yards or more of quality fabric that could be used for reupholstery - especially heavy fabrics that resist wear and dirt, FISH may have an offer from a local craftsperson to get the work done for free. As a 35-bed shelter, our furniture gets worn quickly but sometimes it is easier to replace than to repair.
Clothing:
New Clothes: FISH welcomes all donations of new clothes and new shoes. Clothes for the current season are ideal. In general, we like to provide basic functional clothes like jeans and sneakers, instead of less useful clothes like gowns and high-heels. Still, February, March, and April precede prom season.
Used Clothes: FISH generally tries to avoid accepting donations of used clothing. Harbor House (formerly The Gathering Place) in Torrington is a drop-in center for our local homeless population. They no longer accept used clothes to supply people in need. The Kings Closet is a thrift store which sometimes supplies our shelter residents with a selection of clothes. The Kings Closet is in downtown Torrington, open Tues-Saturday, 10-5, 860-921-4865. For large donations of heavily used clothes and shoes, look for any outdoor clothing recycling bin.
Used Clothes: FISH generally tries to avoid accepting donations of used clothing. Harbor House (formerly The Gathering Place) in Torrington is a drop-in center for our local homeless population. They no longer accept used clothes to supply people in need. The Kings Closet is a thrift store which sometimes supplies our shelter residents with a selection of clothes. The Kings Closet is in downtown Torrington, open Tues-Saturday, 10-5, 860-921-4865. For large donations of heavily used clothes and shoes, look for any outdoor clothing recycling bin.
Empty Luggage:
FISH welcomes donations of lightly-used, clean luggage bags. Our residents will appreciate them when moving from our shelter into their permanent residence.
Furniture:
FISH sometimes accepts donations of furniture, but we need to agree to take any item because we don't have storage for anything extra. As a rule, we only accept furniture that can be lifted by one person alone.
Delivery to FISH is appreciated but we can pick up with a van if there are several pieces very near Torrington.
Timing matters because we do not have storage space, so we try to receive most donations at the same time a resident is moving out into a new apartment.
We may accept small useful pieces that you would imagine for a college dorm room. Kid-friendly furniture.
We often accept clean wingback chairs, overstuffed chairs, accent chairs, child-sized living room chairs and other child-sized furniture, ottomans, and coffee tables (not glass). Folding TV dinner tables are ideal. Small TV stands and side tables are popular. Average drawer units that one person can lift.
We are NOT seeking a couch, love seat, or anything large or heavy that would require 2 people to lift. Recliners are probably too heavy. Nothing broken, stained, or smelling of pets or cigarettes. Standard rocking chairs may be accident-prone around kids but some styles might be OK. We are unable to accept large dresser drawer units, and we cannot take large mirrors that may attach to bureaus.
Mattresses:
FISH tries to only take like-new, single/twin size mattresses. Before offering a mattress - please look at it in good lighting to check for stains. Torrington CT has an online form for bulk-waste permits. If the mattress is larger than Single/Twin, but it is brand new, we sometimes can take it if we have a specific resident moving into an apartment immediately. We cannot take larger mattresses to put it in storage.
We appreciate single/twin-sized "Bunky Boards" (slim box springs) and single/twin sized box springs and good condition bed frames of that size.
Rugs: If the rug currently needs to be washed or smells, we can't take it. Please lookup Torrington bulk-waste pickup. We can only accept a like-new rug if we know where it will go immediately.
Anybody may also call the FISH main number at 860-482-7300.
Acts4Ministry is a nonprofit based in the Waterbury area. They accept furniture donations and apartment supplies for people moving into new apartments. They may ask for a financial donation in order to do pick-ups that are not immediately near Waterbury. If you have furniture FISH is unable to take, you my try contact them at 203-574-2287 or e-mail is [email protected]
Delivery to FISH is appreciated but we can pick up with a van if there are several pieces very near Torrington.
Timing matters because we do not have storage space, so we try to receive most donations at the same time a resident is moving out into a new apartment.
We may accept small useful pieces that you would imagine for a college dorm room. Kid-friendly furniture.
We often accept clean wingback chairs, overstuffed chairs, accent chairs, child-sized living room chairs and other child-sized furniture, ottomans, and coffee tables (not glass). Folding TV dinner tables are ideal. Small TV stands and side tables are popular. Average drawer units that one person can lift.
We are NOT seeking a couch, love seat, or anything large or heavy that would require 2 people to lift. Recliners are probably too heavy. Nothing broken, stained, or smelling of pets or cigarettes. Standard rocking chairs may be accident-prone around kids but some styles might be OK. We are unable to accept large dresser drawer units, and we cannot take large mirrors that may attach to bureaus.
Mattresses:
FISH tries to only take like-new, single/twin size mattresses. Before offering a mattress - please look at it in good lighting to check for stains. Torrington CT has an online form for bulk-waste permits. If the mattress is larger than Single/Twin, but it is brand new, we sometimes can take it if we have a specific resident moving into an apartment immediately. We cannot take larger mattresses to put it in storage.
We appreciate single/twin-sized "Bunky Boards" (slim box springs) and single/twin sized box springs and good condition bed frames of that size.
Rugs: If the rug currently needs to be washed or smells, we can't take it. Please lookup Torrington bulk-waste pickup. We can only accept a like-new rug if we know where it will go immediately.
Anybody may also call the FISH main number at 860-482-7300.
Acts4Ministry is a nonprofit based in the Waterbury area. They accept furniture donations and apartment supplies for people moving into new apartments. They may ask for a financial donation in order to do pick-ups that are not immediately near Waterbury. If you have furniture FISH is unable to take, you my try contact them at 203-574-2287 or e-mail is [email protected]
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Thanksgiving Food:
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Turkeys, hams, and all of the fixings are distributed annually to our food pantry clients who are signed-up for the program, usually by the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
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Holiday gifts for children:
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New toy donations are always welcome. Unwrapped gifts received by mid-December or earlier may be distributed to families this year. Donations received after December 17th are unlikely to be processed immediately, but FISH does accept new items year-round for our holiday program. We are unable to accept bulk donations of used toys.
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All needs, year-round Wish List:
This is a composite of several Wish Lists |
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What we need:
● Toiletries (deodorants, shaving razors, shaving cream, tooth paste/brushes, shampoo, lotion, conditioner, soap, combs, brushes, female products)
● Diapers and Wipes
● Volunteers of all ages
● Monetary donations - Please note one can make a donation using Pay Pal on this website
● And, if you think you have something that might assist us in our efforts to support those in need give us a call: 860-482-7300.
We depend on the generosity of the community!
● Toiletries (deodorants, shaving razors, shaving cream, tooth paste/brushes, shampoo, lotion, conditioner, soap, combs, brushes, female products)
● Diapers and Wipes
● Volunteers of all ages
● Monetary donations - Please note one can make a donation using Pay Pal on this website
● And, if you think you have something that might assist us in our efforts to support those in need give us a call: 860-482-7300.
We depend on the generosity of the community!
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