Volunteer Organization of the Month: Women Of The Village

Women Of The Village Photo
July 31, 2021

Women of the Village is a nonprofit organization that was founded by the goodwill of three women: Andrea Mastriano, Sharon Widely Dash Stevens, and Ann Margaret Gainey in September of 2017. Woman of the Village is a weekly food pantry that operates every Tuesday from 1:00 - 2:00 pm at the Dixwell Community Police Substation, which is located at 26 Charles Street in New Haven, Connecticut. This food pantry provides fresh fruits and vegetables that are donated weekly.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Women of the Village also held a monthly food pantry on the 4th Friday of each month from 4:00 - 6:00 pm to support individuals who were unable to attend the pantry on Tuesdays. The Friday food pantry functioned somewhat differently, as it consisted primarily of nonperishable items and meats when they were available.

Woman of the Village has worked with many organizations on various community projects in the New Haven area such as the Yale Police Department with supplying food to families for the holidays, delivering fresh prepackaged food to elderly individuals who cannot make it to the pantry, collaborating with Saint Martin Support Church for their Thanksgiving basket distribution, working with the New Haven Health Department to promote free flu vaccine clinics, and supporting the Dixwell Community Management Team during its 2020 Coat Drive.

Understanding the massive increase in a need for food, Women of the Village works with pantries throughout the city for food overage, such as Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, Varick Church Food Pantry Comic, Apostle Immigrant Services, Upon This Rock Ministries, Dixwell Newhallville Senior Center, Reginald Mayo School, and Beecher School.

Women of the Village has seen the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on many individuals and families as the number of people served has risen from 50-70 individuals pre-COVID, to now servicing anywhere from 80-125+ individuals weekly. It is Women of the Village’s mission to support those impacted by food insecurities by utilizing the food donations they receive, and when necessary, using personal funds to purchase items to supplement food baskets, because they will never turn anyone away! Their purpose is to provide everyone with nutritious food! Women of the Village witnesses on a weekly basis the constraints caused by these tough economic times. 

To support this organization, you can drop off nonperishable items to Andrea Mastroianni by calling 203-675-9437, or sending funds via cash app to $WOMENOFNEWHAVEN21. We appreciate your kindness and thank you in advance for your generosity.