Nourish Bridgeport was founded as Norma F. Pfriem Urban Outreach Initiatives in 2010, an outreach program of the United Congregational Church in Bridgeport.

Yesterday, students in Carver’s after school program at the Classical Studies Magnet Academy helped Nourish Bridgeport give Thanksgiving food baskets to local residents.

Their new Nourish Bridgeport name (actually spelled nOURish Bridgeport) reflects the group’s identity and mission as a not-for-profit organization that strives to better the lives of those in need in Bridgeport. Their weekly Feel the Warmth community supper, weekly food pantry and ESL programs help their neighbors who are homeless, food insecure and struggling to build better lives.

Born in Bridgeport, the daughter of the late Elmer and Alma (Flicker) Pfriem, Norma F. Pfriem had been a lifelong area resident and member of the United Congregational Church in Bridgeport. Prior to the Pfriem family selling the Post Publishing Company, she served on its Board of Directors. Miss Pfriem also took an active role at Bridgeport Hospital and was a major donor to the Connecticut Hospice and the Connecticut Children's Hospital in Newington.

Carver is very enthusiastic about and proud of our partnership with the Classical Studies Magnet Academy in Bridgeport, now in our second year there. This is a "themed" Pre-K to 8th grade public school in Bridgeport’s West Side neighborhood for more than 400 students. Its curriculum of classical literature, art and music utilizes the Paideia instructional methodology (traditional lecturing, coaching, and the Socratic method of extended discussion). Instruction is project-based, involving frequent assemblies, presentations and field trips. CSMA occupies a 123-year-old structure, the oldest school still in use by the district. The school also rents a nearby closed Catholic school for their Pre-K to 2nd grade students.