Future Move is Imminent for Bread for Life – But Where?

Before the end of the year, Southington Bread for Life will likely have settled on a location for a new home. Where that will be, however, remains to be seen – at least for now.

Concerns regarding those served through Bread for Life have had sparked controversy and debate in the community as a proposal looked to move the entire operations to a location adjacent to Derynoski Elementary School, but the organization has filed a 60-day extension in hopes of finding “a more suitable location.”

That doesn’t mean a new location will be easy to find or that the current plan has been nixed, however. Bill McDougall, Bread for Life Board President, said the organization is eager to work with the community in seeking a new location, but there is great need and Bread for Life must act soon.

“We’ve been in the community for 29 years now and the truth is, we’ve drastically outgrown the capacity we have,” McDougall said. “The need is much greater than our capacity and we must find a new location to allow us to centralize efforts and expand. We are working with town officials and hopeful that the 60 days will help us find something.”

“Bread for Life remains committed to a new building and if a comparable and acceptable alternative is not identified, we will move forward with our existing plan,” he said.

The Board of Education late last month put support behind parents, who expressed concerns that while the organization is doing a great thing for the community in making sure “that no one goes hungry,” the mission also involves assisting those with criminal history and those battling drug abuse.

Parents such as Heidi Matusik have spoken up in saying, “the truth is everyone getting a meal shouldn’t necessarily be near the school. Inevitably those with sex offender history, mental illness or who are struggling with addiction will be in that group.”

Following the public statement from the Board of Education, School Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi Jr. and members of the Board of Education said they would be willing to work with the organization to find a suitable location.

Michael DelSanto, chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said Monday that a committee has been established involving Bread for Life board members and town officials.

“Right now, everyone is committed to working together to find a solution that is best for Bread for Life and for the town of Southington,” he said. “I don’t know and can’t speak to what the future would hold beyond that.”

The Planning and Zoning Commission will move forward Tuesday with a public information session, allowing members of the community to speak out – perhaps the only time this will happen as a move to the currently proposed site is not a special exception and does not require public hearing – but the application has not been withdrawn, but will be tabled due to the extension. The meeting begins at 7 p.m., and the public input session will be included at the end of the agenda.

DelSanto could not speak to the future of the application of what may happen when the extension expires.

For Bread for Life, however, time is running out. The organization has worked for years to find a way to centralize services, currently spread through locations in the community, and must act quick in order to continuing to meet the growing needs.

McDougall and Attorney Anthony Denorfia, representing the organization, said the application as presented meets all of the town’s criteria and is a business use in a business zone. This would make the application tough for officials to deny, they indicated.

Based on state statutes, if the application were denied then it would leave the organization with an option to file a lawsuit. This is not something being considered at this point, however, as the focus remains on finding the best option for everyone, and quickly.

“We aren’t focused on what’s next. Right now, we are focused on working with the town to see if there is anything else available that would make sense,” McDougall said.

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