The Story of Seymour Food 2 Kids
In February 2023, Shannon Bullard participated in a Food 2 Kids program in another community with her 4-year-old daughter, Mackenzie. Soon thereafter, Mackenzie started kindergarten and noticed some of her friends didn’t bring snacks to school. Mackenzie told her Mom she wanted to help feed her friends in need. Her compassion struck Shannon deeply, and she tucked away the idea of finding something similar in Seymour.
A few months later, through All In Seymour, Shannon learned that nearly 40% of local families struggle to provide basic needs for their children. With universal free lunches ending, the need felt urgent. Inspired by Mackenzie’s compassion, she began exploring how a Food 2 Kids program could help Seymour.
With guidance from Food 2 Kids Milford and support from Bungay School, the program launched in February 2024. Around Shannon’s kitchen table, seven Bungay students packed six weeks of weekend food bags for their classmates. Just days later, the first bags were delivered discreetly into children’s backpacks. In only a few months, community donations covered 18 weeks of food, showing the generosity and heart of Seymour.
As the need grew, Shannon researched how to formalize the effort, wrote bylaws, and built a board. On March 26, 2024, Seymour Food 2 Kids officially became a 501(c)(3)—born from a child’s wish to help her classmates and powered by a community that came together to make it real. By 2025, our reach expanded beyond Seymour, with the addition of an elementary school in Oxford, furthering our mission to fight childhood hunger.
Seymour Food 2 Kids is looking for passionate community members to join our Board of Directors! 
Submit your résumé and cover letter telling us why you want to serve and what you bring to the table.
Officer positions like Secretary and Event Planning will be voted on by the board – joining the board is step one!Email seymourfood2kids@gmail.com to apply.Meet our Team
Shannon Bullard- Founder (shannon@seymourfood2kids.org)
I have been a proud member of the Seymour community for more than two decades and have always been actively involved in volunteering, particularly with the Seymour Ambulance. My passion for working with children led me to become the Executive Director of Julia Day Nursery in Ansonia. Starting Seymour Food 2 Kids brings together the two things I care most about—helping others and giving back to my community.
No child should go hungry, and no parent should have to choose between food and shelter. I am proud to pass these values on to my daughters, Mackenzie and Amaya, and to involve other children in the community by teaching them the importance of empathy, teamwork, and giving back. I am honored to have started an organization that helps instill these values in the next generation and grateful for the board members who joined me on this journey to make a difference.
Mackenzie & Amaya Bullard- Co-Founders
“We helped pack food bags for kids in other towns, and then we wanted to help kids in Seymour too. Being kind is important because it makes people happy, and it makes us happy too. We like unpacking boxes and putting food on the shelves. We feel proud that our friends and family want to help us.”
When Mackenzie grows up, she wants to be a doctor to help people who are sick.
When Amaya grows up, she wants to be a dentist so everyone can have clean teeth.
Our Board of Directors
Seymour Food 2 Kids is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors made up of community members who share a passion for supporting local children and families. Together, they bring a mix of experience, heart, and commitment to ensuring the program grows and continues to meet the needs of local students.
Kelly Dandorph- President (kelly@seymourfood2kids.org)
I am proud to be a lifelong Seymour resident. I currently work as a Residential Program Manager for a nonprofit agency, overseeing care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities—so giving back has always been one of my greatest passions. When I learned about Seymour Food 2 Kids, I knew I wanted to get involved to give back to my own community. This program gives me the chance to directly impact our youth and inspire others to do the same.
No child should ever worry about where their next meal will come from. Hunger keeps children from growing, learning, and thriving into the adults of tomorrow. Being part of Food 2 Kids allows me to contribute to something greater than myself, and knowing I can make a difference in our community is truly special. I have never forgotten learning the Golden Rule as a child—“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Amber Moore- Vice President (amber@seymourfood2kids.org)
I’ve been a proud Seymour resident for over a decade, raising my three children here with my husband and our dog. I love our close-knit community, where neighbors truly support one another. When I learned about Seymour Food 2 Kids, I knew I wanted to be involved. The mission of “kids feeding kids” resonates deeply with me, and the bagging events have given my children a hands-on way to learn about empathy, sharing, and community.
My commitment to service began after college, when I volunteered with Passionist Volunteers International in Jamaica, and continued through my early career as a nurse. Today, I serve as Director of Technology and Philanthropy at a family-run business, where I combine technical expertise with community service. I’m honored to bring these experiences to Seymour Food 2 Kids and to help grow its impact in our community.
Jolene Tiano- Treasurer (jolene@seymourfood2kids.org)
I have worked in the childcare field for over 35 years and have a passion for supporting families who work hard to make ends meet. Having raised three children of my own, I understand the challenges young families often face. While raising my children in Seymour, I was actively involved in many community organizations and saw firsthand how important it is to reach out and help others.
I now volunteer with several local food pantries that address food insecurity and am excited to be part of Seymour Food 2 Kids, supporting its mission of kids helping kids. I’ve had the joy of watching Mackenzie’s idea grow into a nonprofit that now provides weekend meals for 40 children in Seymour Public Schools, and I’m proud to support everything Seymour Food 2 Kids stands for.
Jessica Nunez- Communications Chair (jessica@seymourfood2kids.org)
I was first drawn to Seymour by the convenience of working at Griffin Health in Derby, but over time I’ve built deep roots here and am proud to call it home while raising my family. A personal development podcast encouraged me to connect with people making a difference locally, and when Shannon sent me a serendipitous text inviting me to join this new program, it felt like divine intervention—a perfect alignment of purpose and opportunity.
As a parent of three daughters who are proud Bungay Bees, being part of this project from the ground up is exciting not just for me, but for our whole family.
Melissa Doty- Board Member (melissa@seymourfood2kids.org)
I have lived and raised my family in Seymour, a community I truly love. My daughter Genevieve, along with my stepdaughters Aliyah and Kyleigh, are growing up here, and I feel blessed to call this town home. I’ve been active in the PTA since 2019 and now serve as Vice President and Secretary, which has given me the chance to connect with many wonderful families. After many years in childcare, I now work as a Referrals Specialist at St. Mary’s Hospital and feel grateful to be part of such a caring community.
When Shannon shared her vision for Seymour Food 2 Kids, I knew I wanted to be part of it. Having faced challenges myself, I understand what struggling families go through and want them to know they are not alone. I am proud to support this mission and grateful to all who have donated—your generosity has already helped so many children and families, and together we will continue to make a difference.
