Eat, Drink, and Live Healthy with the CDR! June 23, 2012

Learn how to eat healthy this summer with the East Shore Health District (ESHD) and Community Dining Room (CDR) during a four-part, Tuesday evening program for families beginning July 10th at the CDR with nutritional information, a fun, interactive game for children, and body fat analysis for parents.. Participants in the Summer Smarts series will explore healthy summer food choices, learn the surprising truth about where our food comes from, and how to build nutritious and delicious summer meals. Participants attending all four programs will receive an award certificate! The program is free of charge and participants attending all four programs will receive an award certificate.

July 10, 5:30pm – Kick-off event
CDR, 30 Harrison Avenue, Branford, CT
Nutritional Review and game with Food plate design and Body Fat Analysis for parents

July 24, 3:30 – Field trip
Meet at Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven (Convenient, free parking available at museum)
Peabody Museum field trip to “Big Food” healthy eating program

July 31, 4:30pm — Vegetable Garden Tour
Meet at CDR, 30 Harrison Avenue, Branford, CT
Visit our local Community Garden and see where food comes from

August 14, 5:30pm — Healthy Cooking Class
CDR, 30 Harrison Avenue, Branford CT
Learn to and prepare a garden fresh meal

To register for the program, stop by the CDR Tuesday Night Family dinner between 5:30 – 6:30pm, or call Pat Kral at (203) 488-9750.

Summer Fun, Food, and Games! May 23, 2012

Join us for Summer Fun, Food, and Games!

There is definitely “No Holiday for Hunger” as the CDR knows all too well. However, we hope to meet the challenges of feeding children during the summer months (when they do not receive meals through the school system) in a variety of ways including the “Fun, Food, and Games” program. Join us on the first Tuesday of June, July, and August on the Branford Green at 5:30 pm for a picnic dinner and other activities provided compliments of the CDR. Families with children are encouraged to attend!

9th Annual Shoreline Walkathon April 23, 2012

Thank you to all who participated in the 9th Annual Shoreline Walkathon to benefit the CDR. The event was held last Saturday, April 21st, and was our biggest walk to date…over 200 walkers joined us and the Branford Early Childhood Collaborative for a 3 mile stroll from the Branford Green to Foote Park and back. A great time was had by all, the rain stayed away, and critical funds were raised to support the CDR’s programs and services. Thanks to our walkers, our army of dedicated volunteers led by Jayne Nunziante, special guests Chris Velardi and Unk DaRos! See you next year!

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We’ve Got “Style” March 19, 2012

Watch the CDR’s Jayne Nunziante and Melissa Branch as they prepare a healthy Spring meal on WTNH’s Connecticut Style program. Jayne and Melissa also share all of the details of our upcoming Shoreline Walkathon on April 21st.

Click here to view the segment:

Feinstein Challenge and a Very Busy Spring! March 8, 2012

The CDR is participating once again in the Alan Feinstein Foundation $1 Million Giveaway Challenge to Fight Hunger. A portion of all donations received between March 1 and April 1 will be matched by the Foundation, making your generous contributions go even further to support the CDR’s nutritional programs. Thank you for your support!

Spring is in the air! What better way to welcome the warm weather than by joining the CDR for some of our many upcoming Spring events? We have the HOPE Gala, the Shoreline Walkathon, a visit from the WTNH Weather Lab for the kids, and free mammograms! Visit our website for more details:

The CDR Loses a Dear Friend February 28, 2012

The Community Dining Room family is very sad about the passing of our cherished friend, Paul Sturgess. Paul was a long-time friend and benefactor of the CDR. He spent many hours volunteering and supporting our programs and fundraising efforts. We will always remember Paul’s generosity and especially his humor and joy in helping others. For many years he delivered Holiday Dinners to shut in’s and j…oined in our community dinner celebrations. Paul had planned to be the Grand Marshal at our upcoming Walkathon on April 21st, but passed away on February 26th. To celebrate Paul and his commitment to the CDR, we will honor him as our “Grand Marshal in Memorium”. We hope you’ll join us and his family at the Walk to celebrate his life.

3 New Exciting CDR Events! February 14, 2012

April 21st at 9am: Save the date for the 9th annual Shoreline Walkathon the benefit the CDR! New location (the Branford Green) and new partners the Branford Early Childhood Collaborative, plus the same great faces you’ve come to know year after year (including our Grand Marshall Paul Sturgess and special guest Unk DaRos).
Click here to learn more.
April 24th from 3-5:30pm: As part of the “Week of the Young Child” the CDR will host the WTNH Weather Lab on the Branford Green. School-aged children are invited to participate in a presentation lead by Erica Grow of WTNH in this exciting mobile weather unit. The presentation will include demonstrations of technology and advice on staying safe during severe weather, as well as a time for questions. This activity is first come first served! To learn more contact Jayne Nunziante, jayne4cdr@gmail.com. Presentations will be at 3, 3:45, and 4:30pm.

May 23rd from 8:00am-2:00pm: Yale-New Haven Hospital and Smilow Cancer Hospital will sponsor free mammography screenings for the community at the CDR. To schedule an appointment for your free screening, please call Melissa Branch from the CDR at 203.488.0447 no later than May 2, 2012.