HARTFORD, Conn. -- One Connecticut woman is reaching out to the homeless -- one loaf of bread at a time.

Noel Shepard volunteers her time to gather bread at the Freihofer's Bakery outlet in Vernon and distribute it to those in need.

"I deliver anywhere from five to eight different shelters," she said. "I come on Friday nights and I get my full load and then I distribute it over Saturday, Sunday, Monday , Tuesday."

Freihofer's isn't Shepard's only stop, she also gets bread from the Atlanta Bread Company in South Windsor.

"We serve fresh baked goods every day and at the end of the day, we donate it all to local charities and food banks," said John Muirhead of the Atlanta Bread Company.

Shepard said that she is at the company most nights bagging up bread, bagels and other baked goods.

Workers at both the St. Elizabeth House and South Park Inn, homeless shelters in Hartford, told Eyewitness News that the homes' budgets for meals are not large, and the shelters depend on donations of time and food.

"Noel's been -- it's been a great inspiration her coming in on a regular basis, bringing us bread," said Brian Baker of the South Park Inn.

"We depend on folks who have a heart just like hers so we can make it through another week and feed one more person," Dave Martineau of St. Elizabeth House said.

More Information:

Link: South Park Inn

Link: Mercy Housing

Link: Tri-Town Shelter

Link: Connecticut Coalition To End Homelessness

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