Connecticut Food Bank Hunger News & Advocacy Blog

Can you live on $4.80 a day for food?  That’s what U.S. Senator Chris Murphy is doing this week to gain a better understanding how the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) works on a personal level. Starting today, Senator Murphy will live on the average state food stamp benefit. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the Food Stamp Program, the average monthly benefit in Connecticut is $143.89 per family member, which is $4.80 per day or $1.60 per meal.  Nearly 61 percent of SNAP participants are in families with children, and more than 33 percent of SNAP participants are in families with elderly or disabled members. About 33 percent of SNAP participants are in working families.   “427,000 people in Connecticut rely on SNAP benefits to feed themselves and their families,” said Murphy. “Spending some time living on this budget gives policymakers a firsthand look...
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Connecticut Food Bank is outraged by the House Agriculture Committee’s vote to slash spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) by $21 billion.  “These cuts to SNAP will take food from the refrigerators and kitchen tables of vulnerable low-income families struggling to get back on their feet in the wake of the recession, said Nancy L. Carrington, President & CEO, Connecticut Food Bank. “On behalf of Connecticut Food Bank and our network of food assistance agencies, I urge our Connecticut congressional delegation to oppose cuts to SNAP in the House Farm Bill and to work to restore the cuts on the House floor.” Under the proposed cuts, two million people nationally will lose benefits entirely, 210,000 children will lose access to free school meals and another 850,000 households will see their benefits cut by an average of $90 per month. More than 400,000 people in Connecticut...
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Please help us protect the most vulnerable Americans – the men, women and children who are struggling with hunger. The House Agriculture Committee, will mark up its Farm Bill on May 15.  We expect the House to cut SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) by approximately $20 billion – which equals 8 billion meals  This is an additional $4 billion in cuts compared to last year’s version. Cuts to SNAP could be devastating to our clients and our ability to meet the need in Connecticut. We cannot let this happen without a fight. If your representative is a member of the Agriculture Committee, they are in a position to stop these cuts from happening. To do that, they need to hear from you today, May 14, as it is an organized National Call in Day! Here is what you need to do: Call this toll-free hotline at 866-527-1087. Listen to the pre-recorded message and...
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New polling data released this week by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), show that registered voters oppose cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) as a way to reduce government spending. Among the findings:   Seven in 10 voters say that cutting food stamp funding is the wrong way to reduce government spending and nearly three in four (73 percent) voters believe the food stamp program is very or fairly important for the country. When voters learn that Congress is considering cutting billions of dollars from the food stamp program to reduce government spending, 70 percent say this is the wrong way to reduce spending—more than half (51 percent) feel strongly about this—while just 30 percent favor the cuts. Women oppose cuts by 73 percent. Voters in rural communities and small towns reject cuts decisively, by 68 percent to 32 percent.  Support...
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Connecticut Food Bank is joining the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) on Saturday, May 11, to Stamp Out Hunger.  Now in its 21st year, the Stamp Out Hunger food drive is the nation’s largest single-day food drive, helping to provide assistance to millions of Americans who are struggling to put food on the table. Held each year on the second Saturday in May, the event helps replenish food banks and pantries in more than 10,000 communities. Last year’s drive marked the ninth consecutive year that people donated more than 70 million pounds of food to the Stamp Out Hunger food drive. “Connecticut Food Bank thanks the letter carriers for efforts to help us alleviate hunger in Connecticut,” said Nancy L. Carrington, Connecticut Food Bank’s President and CEO.  “This food drive is needed because more than half of the people in Connecticut who struggle with hunger do not qualify for...
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Connecticut Food Bank and the United Way of Greater New Haven are partnering to show A Place at the Table, a documentary that takes a look at the rising crisis of food insecurity in America through the eyes of three people who are struggling with hunger:     A single mother who grew up in poverty trying to provide a better life for her two kids,     A Colorado fifth-grader who often depends on friends and neighbors for food, and      A Mississippi second-grader whose health issues are exacerbated by the empty calories her hardworking mother can afford. The free screening is Monday, May 13, 5:30 p.m., at Criterion Cinemas, 86 Temple Street, New Haven. After the film, a lively panel discussion moderated by Jack Healy, President  & CEO of United Way of Greater New Haven, will follow to talk about the economic, social and cultural implications of hunger and what...
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Quota International of New Haven received the 2013 Excellence in Food Banking Award in Volunteer Service at the annual Feeding America Network Executive Directors’ meeting in Nashville this month for its ongoing commitment to Connecticut Food Bank.  The group was named the top volunteer organization among those who work with the more than 200 food banks in the national Feeding America network.  Since its members began volunteering with Connecticut Food Bank in 2006, they have logged more than 2,000 hours of service.  It all began when Quota members were seeking volunteer opportunities that would match one of the club’s international service missions – to help disadvantaged women and children – with the food bank’s work to alleviate hunger.  As a result, the club was instrumental in the start up of Connecticut Food Bank’s Kids’ BackPack Program.  Quota Club members continue to volunteer three days each month to pack nutritious food...
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We’re excited to partner with the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut to show A Place at the Table, a thoughtful documentary which takes a look at hunger in America through the lens of three people who are struggling with food insecurity: A single mother who grew up in poverty trying to provide a better life for her two kids, A Colorado fifth-grader who often depends on friends and neighbors for food, and A Mississippi second-grader whose health issues are exacerbated by the empty calories her hardworking mother can afford. Wednesday, May 1, 5:30 p.m. Three Rivers Community College, Multi-Purpose Room F117 574 New London Turnpike, Norwich, CT Admission is free After the screening, we’re hosting a lively panel discussion to talk about the economic, social and cultural implications of hunger in our nation and what can be done to help make healthy and affordable food accessible to all featuring: Carl...
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Connecticut Food Bank received a 2013 Excellence in Food Banking Award for Resource Development at the annual Feeding America Network Executive Directors’ Forum being held this week in Nashville. The award is given to the year’s most outstanding resource development program from the 202 food banks across the nation in the Feeding America network. Judges awarded the distinction to Connecticut Food Bank for its fundraising efforts in the past year. In particular, the judges noted the food bank’s push to expand its donor base. Connecticut Food Bank’s work has proven successful, with public support for its work to alleviate hunger more than doubling over the past five years.  The food bank also was recognized for its efforts in Fairfield County where financial support from individuals has grown. The food bank’s online virtual food drives have also increased – with double digit growth in just one year. “Connecticut Food Bank continues to...
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When Paul O’Leary of Newtown joined Connecticut Food Bank as Chief Operating Officer last summer, he was looking for an opportunity to involve young people, especially high school students from his hometown, in the food bank’s mission to provide nutritious food to people in need.   As the former COO of Danbury’s Dandy Foods, a wholesale food distributor, O’Leary frequently crossed paths with Newtown High School teacher Brian Neumeyer who oversees the school’s Culinary Arts program along with Lori Hoagland. Dandy often supplied food products to the popular program that enables approximately 200 students to learn about food preparation and restaurant management skills. “I told Chef Neumeyer about my new position and the possibility of partnering the food bank with the Culinary Arts Program in the near future,” said O’Leary. “Little did I know the opportunity would present itself right away in the form of the Feed the Need Program.”...
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