Clear Out the Clutter and Help Feed Local Families at Mystic’s Free Community Shred Day
At a Glance
What: Free community document shredding and recycling event with a food drive
When: Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: Mystic & Noank Library, 40 Library Street, Mystic, CT 06355
Admission: Free and open to the community
Shredding: Secure disposal and recycling of confidential personal and business documents
What to Bring: Up to three file-size boxes of documents for shredding
Food Drive: Nonperishable food donations benefiting the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Bank
Requested Donations: Canned tuna, meats, stew, vegetables, fruits, pasta, rice, instant potatoes, dried beans, peanut butter, and baby food
Presented By: Chelsea Groton Bank
Event Contact: Chelsea Groton Bank, Mystic, (860) 572-4013
Parking: Library parking; follow event-day directions for document drop-off
Accessibility: Contact the library or event organizer for assistance
Event Description
Community Shred Day at the Mystic & Noank Library on Saturday, October 24, offers residents a free opportunity to securely dispose of confidential documents while helping provide food for families throughout southeastern Connecticut.
Presented by Chelsea Groton Bank, the event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and combines a practical household service with a community food collection benefiting the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Bank.
Participants may bring up to three file-size boxes of confidential personal or business documents for secure shredding and recycling. The service is free and open to everyone.
Protect Your Personal Information
Old financial statements, medical paperwork, tax records, and other documents containing personal information can accumulate quickly.
Simply throwing these papers into the trash or recycling bin can expose sensitive details, including account numbers, addresses, and other identifying information.
Secure shredding destroys documents before they enter the recycling process, helping reduce the risk of identity theft while keeping recyclable paper out of the waste stream.
Chelsea Groton Bank’s Community Shred Day provides an opportunity to tackle those overflowing filing cabinets, desk drawers, and boxes of paperwork without purchasing a home shredder or paying for a commercial shredding service.
Residents should review their documents before arriving and retain any records they may still need for financial, tax, legal, or personal purposes.
Three Boxes, One Less Household Chore
The event accepts up to three file-size boxes of confidential documents per participant.
That makes it particularly useful for anyone cleaning out a home office, organizing years of accumulated paperwork, or helping an older family member sort through stored records.
Personal and business documents are welcome.
The event is scheduled for three hours, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the Mystic & Noank Library on Library Street.
Because the event is free, residents can take advantage of the service without making a purchase or opening a bank account.
Help Stock the Shelves at a Local Food Bank
Alongside the shredding service, Chelsea Groton Bank will collect nonperishable food donations for the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Bank.
The food bank serves New London County through a network of community food pantries, meal programs, shelters, and other organizations assisting individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
Organizers are requesting a variety of shelf-stable foods, including canned tuna, meats, stews, vegetables, fruits, pasta, rice, instant potatoes, dried beans, peanut butter, and baby food.
These everyday staples help local food assistance programs provide meals and essential groceries to households facing financial hardship.
The food collection is an opportunity to turn an ordinary household cleanup into something that benefits neighbors throughout the region.
A Community Service From Chelsea Groton Bank
Chelsea Groton Bank has served southeastern Connecticut since 1854 and maintains a longstanding presence in the Mystic area.
Its community shredding events combine financial security education with charitable giving, encouraging residents to protect their personal information while supporting local organizations.
The Mystic event reflects both priorities: helping residents dispose of sensitive paperwork responsibly and collecting food for people who need assistance.
For anyone who has been meaning to clean out old files, Saturday morning offers a convenient reason to finally get it done.
Bring your paperwork, consider adding a bag of nonperishable groceries, and leave with a little less clutter and the satisfaction of helping the community.
Featured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people, location, or activities shown.