Improving our SNAP outreach efforts

Foodshare's SNAP Outreach Coordinator, Laura Roberts (front row in yellow), recently attended a Capacity Institute convening in Chicago along with SNAP personnel from other food banks in the Feeding America network. They shared ideas with other attendees on expanding and re-invigorating their own SNAP programs. SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps) and is one of the most powerful tools for addressing hunger in our community.

"These capacity institute convenings always make me feel ready to conquer hunger when I leave. They are so energizing. Many of us agree that we learn so much from each other each time we go. I find many of the food banks asking me questions about our volunteer driven SNAP program. I tell them, our volunteers can do practically everything an employee can." 

This photo was taken on Hunger Action Day, September 8, so many of the attendees donned their orange apparel to promote awareness of hunger issues. In Hartford and Tolland counties, over 137,000 people cannot be sure where their next meal is coming from, which includes one out of every six children. Learn more about our efforts to connect people with SNAP benefits >