Providing Food Assistance, Free Meals & Community Support in Greater Waterbury
For over 90 years, GWIM has provided free meals, groceries, and compassionate support to anyone facing hunger or hardship in Greater Waterbury. We serve with dignity and help our neighbors move toward stability and self-sufficiency.
300+
Days a year that GWIM provides hot meals or bagged lunches.
450+
Families supported through our monthly Food Pantry.
10,000+
Pounds of groceries distributed on peak pantry days.
How GWIM Helps the Greater Waterbury Community
GWIM provides essential food assistance, hunger relief, emergency groceries, and community support services to residents of Greater Waterbury, CT, including Waterbury, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Wolcott, and surrounding areas. Our programs ensure that individuals and families facing hardship can access free meals, nutritious groceries, and critical support resources with dignity and compassion.
Soup Kitchen
Hot Meals Served in Waterbury, CT – Free Weekday Lunches for Anyone in Need
GWIM provides essential food assistance, hunger relief, and community support services to residents of Waterbury and the Greater Waterbury area.
Emergency Food Pantry
Emergency Groceries & Monthly Food Pantry Services
GWIM’s Emergency Food Pantry provides monthly grocery distributions and emergency food bags for families facing hardship.
Resource Center
Community Support Services: Help with Benefits, Healthcare, Housing & More
Our Resource Center connects guests with community partners offering support for healthcare, benefits assistance, and more.
Kidz Club (Summer Program)
Community Support Services: Help with Benefits, Healthcare, Housing & More
GWIM’s Kidz Club provides a safe, enriching environment for children during the summer months.
Helping Families, Fighting Hunger, and Strengthening Greater Waterbury
Across Greater Waterbury, many neighbors are working hard yet still struggle to afford groceries or access nutritious meals. Your support of GWIM provides hot meals, groceries, and vital community services to families, seniors, and individuals facing hardship.
When you give, you’re supporting one of Connecticut’s most trusted local hunger relief nonprofits. Helping ensure no neighbor goes hungry.
Give Support. Give Time.
A Trusted Local Nonprofit to Support in Connecticut
For more than 90 years, GWIM has been one of Connecticut’s most reliable hunger relief nonprofits. Your donation helps provide:
- Free hot meals for individuals and families
- Emergency groceries for 450+ households each month
- Community support services that promote stability and dignity
- Local impact — every dollar stays in Greater Waterbury
- Trusted stewardship through long-standing community partnerships
- Recognized as one of Connecticut’s most trusted nonprofits for hunger relief
Looking for Volunteer Opportunities in Waterbury?
Volunteers are at the heart of GWIM. If you’re searching for local volunteer opportunities, you can make an impact by:
- Meal preparation in our soup kitchen
- Grocery distribution in our food pantry
- Community events and outreach efforts
- Pantry organization & stocking
- Service opportunities suitable for students, groups & families
- Flexible volunteer shifts available weekdays
- Community service hour opportunities
Your support, through giving or volunteering. Helps ensure no Connecticut neighbor goes hungry.
A Leading Hunger-Relief Kitchen in Waterbury
Our soup kitchen serves more than 25,000 meals monthly
Feeding the Community at Scale
Across meals and groceries, GWIM moves more than 40,000 lbs. of food each month in Greater Waterbury.
Emergency Groceries for Local Households
Our food pantry provides essential groceries to more than 450 families every month.
A Legacy of Compassion Since 1933
GWIM has supported our community with dignity and stability for over nine decades.
Every Dollar Stays in Greater Waterbury
Your support directly helps local families, seniors, and individuals facing hunger.
Community Stories from Our Waterbury Soup Kitchen & Food Pantry
Every day, GWIM provides hot meals, groceries, and compassionate support through our soup kitchen, food pantry, and community programs in Waterbury, CT.
“When I first came to Waterbury in 2013, I was introduced to Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries. I am so grateful for the food pantry, especially during hard times. While living in a shelter, I never missed a meal because of the GWIM Soup Kitchen. They helped my family with diapers, toiletries, blankets, Christmas gifts, and even connected me with StayWell for appointments. Today, six years later, I am in my own apartment and expecting my fourth child. I’m truly thankful for this caring, local nonprofit that helped me rebuild stability.”
“The GWIM Soup Kitchen and Pantry helped me far beyond food. They connected me with housing resources and programs that rebuilt my confidence. Through the Maturity Works program, I trained at GWIM for four years and earned certificates that helped me regain my license and secure a job. Ten years later, I’m working, independent, and grateful to this trusted Waterbury nonprofit that helped me become who I am today.”
“When I was sick, homeless, and living in a tent, I couldn’t afford food to take the medication I needed for Parkinson’s and blood clots. On one of the coldest days of the year, I met Barbara Ann, who told me about GWIM’s daily soup kitchen meals and emergency food pantry. That same day, I left with a warm lunch and a bag of groceries. GWIM helped me secure an apartment and provided essentials like bedding and towels. Feeling stronger, I volunteered at the Food Pantry — and continued helping others for years. I owe my stability and dignity to GWIM.”
Ways to Support Hunger Relief in Greater Waterbury
Whether you’re looking to donate, volunteer, or partner with a trusted local nonprofit, GWIM offers meaningful ways to support hunger relief and community stability in Connecticut.
Donate Money
Your donation helps provide free meals, emergency groceries, and community support for families and individuals facing hunger in Greater Waterbury.
Volunteer Your Time
Help strengthen your community by preparing meals, distributing groceries, or assisting with local events at GWIM throughout Greater Waterbury.
Donate Food & Supplies
Food and supply donations support our Waterbury soup kitchen and food pantry, including non-perishable items and essential hygiene products.
Host a Food Drive or Fundraiser
Community groups, schools, and businesses can organize local food drives or fundraisers to support hunger relief in Greater Waterbury.
Corporate Sponsorships
Help strengthen your community by preparing meals, distributing groceries, or assisting or sponsoring local events at GWIM throughout Greater Waterbury.
Community Partnerships
Faith groups, schools, nonprofits, and civic organizations can partner with GWIM on community outreach, food distribution, and collaborative hunger relief programs
Need Food or Assistance in Connecticut?
If you or your family are facing food insecurity, hunger, or hardship, Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries (GWIM)offers free meals, emergency food assistance, and community support services for individuals and families in Waterbury and the Greater Waterbury area.
Our programs are open to anyone in need and are provided with dignity, respect, and compassion.
Free Food & Assistance Programs Available in Waterbury
Soup Kitchen in Waterbury, CT
Free hot meals served on weekdays, with bagged meals available on weekends.
Emergency Food Pantry in Waterbury
Monthly grocery distributions and emergency food assistance for families and individuals.
Resource Center & Community Support Services
Connections to healthcare, housing resources, veterans services, legal aid, and benefits assistance.
Serving Waterbury and Surrounding Communities Since 1933
GWIM has provided hunger relief and food assistance in Waterbury, CT for more than 90 years, helping children, families, seniors, and individuals access the support they need to move toward stability.
No referrals are required. If you need help. We are here for you.
Getting to GWIM from Around Waterbury
From Downtown Waterbury
Take East Main Street eastbound for about 1 mile. GWIM is located on the right at 770 East Main Street.
From Town Plot
Take Route 63 or West Main Street toward Downtown Waterbury, then continue onto East Main Street.
From Bunker Hill / North End
Take North Main Street south toward Downtown, then turn left onto East Main Street and continue east.
From Washington Hill / South End
Take South Main Street north, then turn right onto East Main Street and continue to 770 East Main Street.
From East End / East Mountain
Follow East Main Street west toward Downtown. GWIM will be on the left near St. John’s Parish.
- Mon- Fri: 11am - 1pm
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Check Schedule
Have a Question or Want to Get Involved?
If you have a question about our programs, donations, volunteering, or community partnerships, we’d love to hear from you.
Someone from Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries will follow up as soon as possible.