Category Archives: Advocacy

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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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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In Connecticut, 14.6 percent of residents surveyed in 2012 said that in the prior 12 months there were times when they did not have enough money to buy the food they needed for themselves or their families. The survey results are according to the Food Research and Action Center’s (FRAC’s) series of analyses of data on food hardship collected by Gallup as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.                                                    The survey looks at the most recent available food hardship rates by state for 2012. It is part of a year-round survey that began in January 2008.  One thousand individuals per day are asked, “Have there been times in the past 12 months when you did not have enough money to buy food that you or your family needed?”  The data comes on the heels of sequestration, automatic federal budget cuts that went into effect at midnight on March 1.  Under these...
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By Nancy L. Carrington, Connecticut Food Bank President & CEO The following opinion editorial appeared in the December 26, 2012, edition of the New Haven Register.   As our nation’s leaders work to find a balanced agreement on deficit reduction, it is important to remember that this conversation is about more than just numbers. It’s about people.  When talking about trillions of dollars, it is easy to lose perspective and think of these decisions as just numbers on a balance sheet. But the decisions that are being made right now will have a lasting impact on real people right here in Connecticut – your neighbors, your colleagues, people who are part of the fabric of our community.  To understand that point, you need only make a visit to your local food bank, church pantry, soup kitchen, or other agencies in our community helping to put food on the table for struggling Connecticut...
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The front of both Waterbury City Hall and the Chase Municipal Building are glowing orange for the entire month of September to help shine light on the more than 490,000 people in Connecticut, including more than 150,000 children, who struggle with hunger.  It’s all due to September being Hunger Action Month, a nationwide effort to increase awareness about hunger in our local communities.   “City Hall and the Chase Municipal Building are two of most popular buildings in the City of Waterbury,” said Nancy L. Carrington, Connecticut Food Bank’s president & CEO.  “By lighting up the front of the buildings orange this month, our hope is to engage people to take action and help spread the word about how pervasive hunger is, right here in Connecticut.”  The lighting of the City Hall and the Chase Municipal Building could not have been possible without the cooperation of the City of Waterbury and...
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Connecticut Food Bank is urging people to wear orange on Thursday, September, 6, as part of a nationwide effort to increase awareness about hunger in our communities during Hunger Action Month.  Hunger affects more than 490,000 people, including more than 150,000 children, in Connecticut on a year-round basis.   In September, Feeding America’s network of more than 200 food bank around the country are engaging citizens to take action and help spread the word about how pervasive hunger is in every community.    “We are calling on Connecticut residents to do what they can to bring attention to hunger in their communities,” said Nancy L. Carrington, Connecticut Food Bank’s president & CEO.  “People can make a difference by advocating or giving time and energy, sharing information on social media or donating food and funds.”  In addition to wearing orange, the color of hunger relief on September 6, Connecticut residents can rally...
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Connecticut Food Bank’s 2012 Walks Against Hunger in Bridgeport, New Haven and Waterbury have raised more than $250,000 for hunger-relief efforts in Connecticut.  Nearly 2,000 walkers participated in the three Walks in late April and May.  Funds raised will enable Connecticut Food Bank to transport, warehouse and distribute more than $1.2 million of food at wholesale value for local community agencies such as soup kitchens, shelters, food pantries and adult and child day programs. “We are grateful to the Walkers, donors and sponsors for helping to make 2012 our most successful Walk season to date,” said Connecticut Food Bank President & CEO Nancy L. Carrington.  “The support from individuals, businesses, schools, food pantries, civic groups and clubs is overwhelming and will go a long way to help those who struggle to put food on the table every day.” In Connecticut, more than half of the people who are at risk...
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Connecticut Food Bank recently honored our Hunger Action Heroes at an awards ceremony attended by more than 100 at our East Haven warehouse. The heroes are individuals, businesses and organizations that go above and beyond to support Connecticut Food Bank in its mission to alleviate hunger in Connecticut. The ceremony is held annually in September, designated as Hunger Action Month. “You are our heroes in many ways, but more importantly you are our inspiration, making a difference in the lives of the men, women and children who depend on us for food,” Connecticut Food Bank President & CEO Nancy L. Carrington told the honorees. “We thank you for your extraordinary service on behalf of our mission to alleviate hunger in Connecticut.” Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro was presented with The Bill Liddell Award – the highest tribute paid by Connecticut Food Bank to an individual, organization or corporation in recognition of...
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Editor’s Note: Deb Heinrich, Gov. Dannel Malloy’s liaison to the state’s nonprofit community, agreed to take the SNAP/Food Stamp Challenge this month and live on $4 a day for food for a week. We are posting her experience in this blog over the next few days. After a fifth morning in a row eating delicious and nutritious oatmeal with brown sugar, we’ve decided that this should actually be called the “SNAP at you challenge.” Yes, I was a bit grumpy this morning. My mother, however, loved the oatmeal. I brought the one left over tortilla with refried beans and rice with me for lunch for us to share along with, yup, you guessed it, black beans and rice. I also decided to eat my second apple. Can you believe it? I forgot the salsa. Lunch. Bland but filling. I was so thankful that my mom didn’t complain. I might have...
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