New Haven – On Sunday afternoon, the Hotel Marcel on Long Wharf hosted a volunteer appreciation ceremony recognizing the tireless efforts of local food‑recovery volunteers. Among those honored was Billy Flynn, a 35‑year construction veteran who has spent eight years rescuing nearly one million pounds of food for Haven’s Harvest.
Flynn’s dedication and community impact
Born in New Haven and raised in Fair Haven, Flynn says his motivation comes from a desire to give back. “I was blessed. I felt that I had a lot to give back,” he told attendees. Flynn’s truck has become a lifeline for families, delivering excess food from restaurants, grocery stores and other sources to the region’s pantries and soup kitchens. Even during the Covid‑19 pandemic, he continued making multiple weekly deliveries on the highway.
Flynn’s work directly supports the mission of Haven’s Harvest, a nonprofit founded in 2015 by Lori Martin and her son Caleb. The organization coordinates the collection of surplus food across Greater New Haven and distributes it to local agencies serving those facing food insecurity.
Voices from partner agencies
Andrea Mastraccio, a staff member at Women of the Village Community Food Pantry in Dixwell, praised Flynn’s contributions. “He’s a Godsend,” she said, noting that roughly 40 percent of the pantry’s weekly food supply comes from Haven’s Harvest. The pantry serves over 500 families who visit twice a week.
Warren Robertson, a longtime volunteer who once experienced homelessness, shared his personal connection to the cause. For nine years he has delivered food to individuals who once stood where he did. He and his wife Hali, members of Upon This Rock Ministries, often pray with recipients, offering hope and encouragement.
Advocacy for statewide food‑recovery infrastructure
During the celebration, volunteers drafted letters to Connecticut state legislators and members of Congress urging public funding for food‑recovery programs. Executive Director Lori Martin emphasized that expanding the effort requires more than competitive grants; it needs dedicated infrastructure such as technology platforms to match volunteers with partners and refrigerated vehicles to keep food safe.
“Food recovery needs infrastructure investment. Building infrastructure can’t be built with competitive grants alone,” Martin said.
Co‑volunteer Campbell, who delivers bagels to a senior center, echoed the sentiment, hoping that elected officials will allocate resources to expand food‑recovery initiatives across the state.
Volunteer perspectives on service
Catherine McGuiness, director of strategic operations for Haven’s Harvest, described the work as a source of personal fulfillment amid a chaotic world. “When I go home from a day of work, I know I’ve done my part to help feed my community in a very concrete way,” she said.
The event highlighted the essential role volunteers play in combating food waste and hunger, reinforcing the belief that community‑driven action can make a tangible difference in the lives of New Haven families.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
