WRATS FOOD DRIVE COLLECTS 800+ LBS OF FOOD FOR BRIDGEPORT RESCUE MISSION

Our amazing Westport community came together to support the YMCA’s Water Rats Swim Team’s Thanksgiving Food Drive on November 6, 2021 and collected 880 pounds of food to benefit the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Donated food will provide food insecure families and individuals with meals this Thanksgiving. The Westport Weston Family YMCA’s Wrats swim team first partnered with the Bridgeport Rescue Mission in May 2020 during the height of COVID, when there was a large demand for food supplies, and again this year in November.

The entire Water Rats team participated in the event, from pre-competitive team swimmers all the way to senior swimmers of the Y. A total of 40 team volunteers including swimmers and parents were stationed at the Westport YMCA to accept donations.

“I had a great time spending the morning with my teammates and helping to fill the truck for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. We’re all extremely lucky to be a part of both the Y and the Water Rat Swim Team who prioritize giving back to the community.” – Tatum Murray (senior swim team member)

According to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, “…[the] team collected 880 pounds of food based on the Connecticut Food Bank metric and that will provide 735 meals to hungry neighbors!”

In addition to collecting food, the WRATS also collected $205 in monetary donations from participating donors that will provide an additional 82 meals, making a grand total of 817 meals provided to those in need this Thanksgiving.

From the Westport Weston Family YMCA, Water Rats Swim Team, and the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, we sincerely thank all in the  community who made donations and volunteered at this wonderful event.

The Water Rat Swim Team is a year-round, nationally recognized competitive swim program, organized and operated by the Aquatics Department of the Westport Weston Family YMCA.

The Water Rat Swim Team competes against other Connecticut YMCA teams in dual meets and the team attends state, regional and national championships. The team, which is also a registered USA Swimming Club, is a member of Connecticut Swimming, Inc., one of 59 Local Swim Committees in the country. Water Rats compete in USA Swimming-sanctioned meets at the local, regional, state, zone and national level.