Hamden Food Drive & Charity Workout: Join RTS and ACES This Thanksgiving
The fifth annual Hamden food drive and charity workout brings Ranfone Training Systems and ACES together to help local families this Thanksgiving. Join us and special guest Heidi on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. for a fun workout that supports our neighbors.
We’re collecting food for families within the ACES community and raising money for Connecticut Foodshare. This year, our fundraising goal is $3,600, alongside food donations collected through November 20.
Whether you attend the workout, drop off groceries, contribute financially, or share the event, you can help make this year’s effort a success.
Hamden Food Drive and Charity Workout Details
- When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.
- Where: Ranfone Training Systems, 109 Sanford Street, Hamden, CT
- Admission: $10 and a food item
- Who can participate: The workout is geared toward all ages.
- Final food donation date: November 20, 2026
Bring a food item and join us for a morning of movement, connection, and giving back. Invite a friend, family member, or coworker to participate with you and introduce them to this annual community effort.
After the workout, enjoy coffee and treats generously donated by Whitney Donut & Sandwich Shop. Their continued support helps make this gathering possible and gives everyone a chance to spend time together after training.
Where Your Donations Go
This event supports two connected efforts to help people facing food insecurity.
Food donations will be distributed to people in need within the ACES community. Monetary donations will go to Connecticut Foodshare to support neighbors in need this Thanksgiving.
By collecting both groceries and financial contributions, the event gives people several ways to participate. You can choose the option that works for you, knowing that your contribution supports the shared goal of helping our community.
Help Us Reach Our $3,600 Fundraising Goal
Our community has continued to show up for this event year after year. Along with hundreds of pounds of donated food, the fundraiser raised $2,000 in 2024 and $2,500 in 2025.
This year, we’re working toward $3,600.
Your workout admission, monetary donations, and efforts to spread the word can help us reach that goal. Food contributions are equally welcome and will support the collection for ACES families.
For anyone looking for a way to give back locally this Thanksgiving, this Hamden food drive offers an opportunity to contribute alongside neighbors, local businesses, and the RTS community.
What to Donate to the Hamden Food Drive
We’re collecting everyday food and drink items, including:
- Water and juice
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Hot and cold cereal
- Oatmeal
- Beans
- Canned vegetables and fruit
- Snacks
- Milk
Please donate unopened items within their expiration dates. Before bringing milk or other products that require refrigeration, check with your chosen drop-off location about storage arrangements.
You can bring groceries to the charity workout on November 14 or drop them off at a participating location through November 20. If you cannot attend the event, your food donations are still welcome.
Food Donation Drop-off Locations
You can contribute to the Hamden food drive at these three locations:
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| ACES | 205 Skiff Street, Hamden, CT |
| Ranfone Training Systems | 109 Sanford Street, Hamden, CT |
| Whitney Donut & Sandwich Shop | 2574 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT |
Please check the location’s operating hours before visiting. The final donation date is November 20, 2026.
If you are collecting food with coworkers, friends, or a community group, share the requested items and deadline with everyone participating. Bringing several contributions together is another way to help people take part, even when they cannot make it to the workout.
How to Make a Monetary Donation
You can support the fundraiser even if you cannot join us on November 14.
Scan the Venmo QR code on the event flyer below to make a monetary donation. If Venmo requests verification of the recipient’s phone number, the last four digits are 8918.
Monetary donations will support Connecticut Foodshare. Every contribution helps us move toward our $3,600 fundraising goal and extends the impact of this annual event beyond the workout itself.
Help Spread the Word
Sharing this page is another way to support the event. Send it to friends and family, pass it along at work, or share it with a neighborhood or community group.
Include the November 14 workout date and the November 20 food donation deadline so people know they can participate in more than one way. Someone who cannot attend the workout may still want to drop off groceries or make a donation.
Thank You to Our Community Partners
Thank you to the Ranfone Training Systems team for donating their time and facilities, and to Whitney Donut & Sandwich Shop for generously providing post-workout coffee and treats.
We’re also grateful to ACES, our donors, and everyone who continues to contribute, participate, and invite others to get involved.
Join us on Saturday, November 14, at 8:00 a.m. at Ranfone Training Systems. Bring $10 and a food item, and help us support our neighbors this Thanksgiving.
