Cohen and Wolf Volunteers Support the Homes with Hope Food Pantry

As part of our firm’s 75th anniversary initiative, Cohen and Wolf employees were honored to volunteer at the Homes with Hope food pantry in Westport on July 10, 2026. Homes with Hope is a Westport-based organization dedicated to preventing and ending housing and food insecurity in Fairfield County. In 2025, Homes with Hope served 2,195 households.

With assistance from Attorney Rachel A. Pencu, Cohen and Wolf organized a firm-wide food drive before the pantry volunteer day, collecting and donating non-perishable items most needed by the pantry. During the service project, Cohen and Wolf volunteers sorted donations and stocked shelves with the firm’s donated goods, as well as other food donations from community donors. Our firm also supplied lunch for Homes with Hope’s emergency shelter guests.

“The food pantry is an important part of Homes with Hope’s mission because access to food can help individuals and families preserve limited resources, remain housed, and avoid entering the shelter system. Through my volunteer work with Homes with Hope residents, I have seen how critical this kind of support can be,” said Attorney G. Kenneth Bernhard.

Located in the Gillespie Center, the Homes with Hope food pantry provides groceries and fresh food, including shelf-stable goods, produce, dairy, meat, and baked items, to individuals and families facing food insecurity. Clients may shop once a week, helping ensure that neighbors in our community do not have to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table.

Homes with Hope also offers a 24-hour emergency shelter for single men and women experiencing housing insecurity, providing safe housing, daily meals, and individualized case management support to help residents transition toward permanent housing.

In addition to its pantry and shelter, Homes with Hope provides supportive housing, rapid re-housing, diversion services, a community kitchen, youth development programs, and mentoring. Its staff develops individualized plans designed to help clients achieve and maintain independent lives.

Cohen and Wolf is grateful to have been part of this experience and extends sincere thanks to the volunteers who gave their time and energy to support the pantry: G. Kenneth Bernhard, Annmarie P. Briones, Richard J. DiMarco, Daniela Gentile, Stuart M. Katz, Vickie Kirn, Emily Moss, Michael S. Rosten, Richard Slavin, and Julie Sohon.

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