Operation Hope in Fairfield has received a $1.5 million bond from the state to help fund a new building.

The nonprofit has been serving the greater Bridgeport area for nearly 40 years.

Located on Old Post Road, the food pantry serves around 1,000 households a year.

It has a second building just up the street that houses a community kitchen that serves lunch and dinner five days a week.

Although both buildings are crucial, Executive Director Carla Miklos says leasing two separate properties comes with its challenges.

"Anybody who has had to manage multiple sites knows that it's difficult to keep a common culture and to keep communication flowing. But it's also difficult to see the interconnectedness of all the programs," Miklos says.

With the new state grant, Operation Hope will now be able to afford its own property so all its services can be housed under one roof.