Hunger Learning Center:

Facts and Stats

• In Connecticut, there are about 390,000 people at risk of hunger every year. These are people from all walks of life – children, working parents, seniors, people with disabilities, etc.
• Connecticut Food Bank tries to reach everyone in need through 650 community-based food programs, such as soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters, but we know we need to do more.
• In 2009, Connecticut Food Bank distributed 18.7 million pounds of food to people in need in six of the state’s eight counties.
• Since its founding in 1982, Connecticut Food Bank has distributed more than 200 million pounds of food.
• On average, Connecticut Food Bank distributes 119,653 grocery carts of food per year – so many carts that if you lined them up, they would reach from the Food Bank's main warehouse in East Haven to Norwalk and back.
• Every business day, Connecticut Food Bank distributes about 30 tons of food.
• What can you do? Every little bit helps. Five cans of food, $5 or five hours of your time can make a difference in the life of someone who doesn’t have enough to eat every day.
• Every $5 donated to Connecticut Food Bank helps us provide 18 meals to a family, a child, or senior in need.
• Even in a state as wealthy as Connecticut, there is a huge need for food assistance, especially in cities like Bridgeport and New Haven. Sometimes the difference between a family who uses a food program and one that doesn’t is the sudden loss of a job, an illness, or unexpected rise in health or utilities bills.
• Prior to the recession a survey of food pantry and soup kitchen clients in Connecticut revealed that:
  • 42% had to choose between food or utilities
  • 34% had to choose between food or rent
  • 30% had to choose between food or medical care