The Community Dining Room

Meal Services We Provide

WEEKLY MEAL SCHEDULE

Sunday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Tuesday Kid’s Night Meal: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday & Friday Night Take-Out: Pick-Up 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

HOME DELIVERY SCHEDULE

Monday/Wednesday/Friday
(North Branford Home Delivery Every Wednesday)
Call for details: (203) 488-9750 x 2

Current Programs We Provide

The CDR serves a hot, nutritious lunch in our dining room. This well-balanced meal begins with soup followed by a main course including protein, carbohydrate and vegetable; finishing always with dessert. Those who attend this community lunch help themselves to a cold beverage or coffee and find a seat with friends or welcoming others. CDR volunteers serve lunch directly with a friendly greeting. Many hungry and lonely individuals structure their day with a visit to the Community Dining Room and sharing a meal.

Saturday through Sunday lunch served from 12pm-1pm

Every Tuesday the CDR hosts a family dinner for families with children. This program offers a family-friendly menu followed by crafts, games or entertainment for kids. Promoting social diversity, periodically this dinner will highlight a different culture through the foods offered for dinner, and activities chosen for the group. Offering families an opportunity to “go out to dinner” together is an important component of this program. Many hard working families in our shoreline neighborhoods are having trouble making ends meet. This program offers help and support.

Tuesday family meal served at 5:30pm followed by activity for kids until 6:30pm.

Lost hours at work or been laid off? Feeling the difficulties of the economic downturn? Unable to come to our daily lunch. Order your family dinner to ease your budget. Pre-register and call in for your meals. Contact 203-488-9750 x2 for more information.

Wednesday pick-up from 1-3pm

Friday pick-up from 1-3pm

You may have supported us in the past; let us lend a hand during these difficult times. Use this dinner for any meal or as an after-school snack. Call and order this nutritious and delicious food for your family.

This program provides home delivered meals. Individuals who are unable to access the CDR due to physical or health reasons or are recuperating from an illness or surgery may qualify to participate. Through referrals and intake assessments, individuals become eligible for this program which serves the Branford and North Branford area.

Branford delivers one hot meal and one frozen meal, 3 days a week.

North Branford delivers one hot and one frozen meal, 1 day a week.

This program provides an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to try kitchen and food preparation work as a vocation. Area agencies participate in this exciting hands-on teaching opportunity.

Students from area schools can meet their school volunteer requirements at the Community Dining Room. We offer youth an opportunity to learn the merits and joys of volunteering while helping others with basic human needs.

  • Serves over 4,500 meals each month.

  • Serves a hot lunch daily in our dining room.

  • Offers a home-delivery program to Branford and North Branford residents.

  • Provides an evening family dinner.

  • Hosts special holiday dinners at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

  • Offers community service opportunities to youth.

  • Meets our guests’ emotional, physical and material needs through referrals to social service agencies, medical screenings and crisis counseling.

  • Provides nutritional support to seniors in an effort to delay entry into nursing homes.

  • Collaborates with the Connecticut Food Bank, the Greater New Haven Emergency Food Council, End Hunger Connecticut, and the Visiting Nurses Association and many other community members.

Meet The CDR Staff

Judith Barron

Executive Director – 203-488-9750 (ext. 4)

Judith Barron came to CDR over five years ago.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Albertus Magnus College.  Judith was employed with the Town of North Branford as a Supervisor for their Recreation / Senior Center for 11 years.  Prior to her employment with North Branford she spent some time working with SARAH, Inc. as a Community Experience Instructor and Marrakech, Inc. as a Group Home Counselor. Judith also worked for the State of Connecticut for four and a half years as a Judicial Marshal.  She has a knowledgeable background of an abundant amount of resources in the community for those in need. During her free time she is actively involved in youth sports with her children as well as many other organizations in her community.

Andrea Savino

Volunteer & Program Coordinator – 203-488-9750 (ext. 2)

Andrea Savino originally came to CDR as a volunteer cook during the pandemic. She brings over 20 years of abundant skills in a multitude of areas including volunteer recruiting and coordination, human resources management, mental health services, and restaurant/catering industry. 

For the past 7 years she has worked for a national non-profit organization providing EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) trauma therapy training to underserved communities and disaster response coordination. 

Andrea is passionate about serving the community and can motivate and inspire individuals to do the same empowered by compassion and diversity. 

She is a Branford resident. During her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and Pilates. She also adores animals. 

Diana Vaicunas

Administrative Assistant – 203-488-9750 (ext. 3)

Diana Vaicunas resides in Branford with her 3 children and fiancé. She brings to CDR a background in restaurant and office management with great enthusiasm. Her previous employers have always commended her on her organizational skills along with a friendly demeanor.

She has spent many years volunteering her time for youth sports organizations in her community.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends traveling and the enjoying the outdoors.

Our Board of Directors

  • Daniel Armin, Chair

  • Dylan Minter, Vice Chair

  • Joseph Calamita, Treasurer

  • Skip Ferry, General Director

  • Tony Pinto, General Director

  • Diane Pappacoda, General Director