Hungry for Change: Building a Coalition to Solve Hunger in Connecticut

Join us this Hunger Action Month for the Hungry for Change statewide conference! This inspiring and informative morning will provide an opportunity to connect with others, discuss the current state of hunger in Connecticut, and share ideas about collaborative action as we work toward a common agenda.

When: Wednesday, September 20 from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm.
Where: Chrysalis Training & Conference Center, 255 Homestead Avenue, Hartford
RSVP here by Thursday, September 14. Space is limited and breakfast will be provided.

What:

-      Data and information about hunger in Connecticut and the core policies that support food security
-      Key note speaker Joel Berg from Hunger Free America

-      Breakout sessions on:

-      Setting a policy agenda that protects government safety net programs

-      Encouraging healthy food access in food pantries and creating model programs

-      Pursuing food justice and addressing inequities in the food system

-      Closing: Planning next steps

Summer Meal Champions!

On a rainy Saturday morning in August, thirty-one kids from five towns made their way to Parker Memorial Community Center in Hartford for the Expect More Healthy Kids Championship Event. On the line were awesome prizes: a Minion’s bike, an electric scooter, a Fitbit, and gift cards to Toys R Us and Target.

Leading up to this event, more than 250 children competed each week in July to earn ribbons and an invitation to the final competition. From the kid’s perspective, it was fun and games. But Foodshare had a serious reason behind it -- getting the word out about free summer meals in our region.

Why does Foodshare care about a federal program like summer meals? We realize that the 11.5 million meals we provide at pantries, shelters and community kitchens are only one part of the equation. To keep Connecticut kids strong, we need strong programs in place like school meals and summer meals.

The USDA Summer Meals Program began as an extension of the school lunch program in 1968, yet it is still the ‘best kept secret’ in child nutrition programs. Few parents know that there are free meals for kids at 600 locations across Connecticut -- less than 25 percent of kids who receive a free or reduced cost lunch at school will get a summer meal!

So while the kids enjoyed fun activities – field games, basketball, and Yard Goats baseball - we were asking them to go back to friends and family as ‘ambassadors’ for the free meals at their summer programs. A week of nutrition education rounded the activities out, with the help of the SNAP4CT staff who taught basic “My Plate” rules for healthy eating during relay races. Fox61 and iHeart Radio provided a media spotlight to get the word out. Panera provided delicious sandwiches for competitors and their families at the championship, and donations to Foodshare from their new delivery program. Stop & Shop provided the funding for us to do this important outreach. It was truly a team effort and we can Expect More Healthy Kids as a result.

Foodshare thanks all of our partners and special thanks to the City of Hartford Department of Families, Children, Youth and Recreation who graciously facilitated activities on two sites and provided the Championship venue. Thanks to Fox61 morning anchor Tim Lammers for acting as master of ceremonies, a passionate advocate for Connecticut kids!

Joy in Childhood Foundation Awards Foodshare $100,000 Grant

Over the next three years, the Joy in Childhood Foundation, in partnership with Feeding America, is providing $1.5 million in grants to food banks across the country to support local child hunger programs. This year, we are very excited to announce that Foodshare is one of nearly 20 food banks selected and will receive a multi-year, $100,000 grant from the Joy in Childhood Foundation! This funding will strengthen Foodshare’s efforts to support local programs that feed children in Greater Hartford, through healthy food distribution and capacity building.

Representatives from the Joy in Childhood Foundation joined us last week at Dunkin' Donuts stadium in Hartford to celebrate this grant award, along with youngsters from Hartford’s summer program at the Department of Families, Children, Youth, and Recreation. The children were invited to the stadium to participate in pitching, hitting and running clinics with the Hartford Yard Goats.
 

Many thanks to the Joy in Childhood Foundation for this generous support!

Aetna Fills Foodshare With Volunteers

This Wednesday was a busy day at Foodshare! We hosted 170 volunteers from Aetna who spent the entire day sorting food to help our neighbors in need, and learning more about hunger in our community.

Our facility at the Hartford Regional Market hosted about 45 of the volunteers and the remaining 125 volunteers were hard at work at our facility in Bloomfield. The volunteers were part of Aetna’s summer internship program, and they included students from over 80 colleges and universities from across the country.

The volunteers were divided into groups and rotated through different stations: sorting donations of meat and other grocery items, sorting produce, and preparing mesh bags that Foodshare uses to pack produce. The Aetna interns also learned more about hunger and its many causes through a Hunger 101 role-play and discussion activity.

Altogether, this energetic group from Aetna sorted 28,500 pounds of food in a single day. That’s enough to provide close to 24,000 meals for our neighbors in need.

A big thank you to the volunteers and staff members from Aetna for taking time to give back to the Greater Hartford community!

Do you have a group that’s interested in volunteering at Foodshare? Click here to learn more!

Foodshare Was In The House

Foodshare was thrilled to join the Yard Goats at their 4th of July Celebration Game!

Foodshare staff members, families and volunteers came out to support the Yard Goats and Foodshare Sunday July 2.

The night began with our Interim President & CEO, Jack Hackendorn throwing the first pitch. Members of the Development team were then presented with a check from the Ford Motor Company Fund in the amount of $57,000 which reflected their support over the past few years – a great partnership!

A group of passionate volunteers also engaged in the fun by collecting donations and educating Yard Goat fans about the issue of hunger at each entrance of the stadium.
They collected enough money to provide over 4,000 meals to people in Hartford and Tolland counties.

A huge thank you to the Hartford Yard Goats for supporting us in our effort to end hunger and help those in need!

 Click here for more photos->

Upcoming Hartford Food Issues Community Meetings

The Hartford Advisory Commission on Food Policy, will be hosting a Food Issues Community Meeting at  various Hartford locations during the summer months.

Hartford residents are encouraged to attend to share their experiences with school meals, grocery stores, SNAP, and other topics.

Click on flyer below for more details.

CTDOT Hosts Job Fair

On Wednesday, May 24, the CT Department of Transportation will be hosting a job fair showcasing numerous career opportunities for individuals interested in working in the transportation industry.

Click on the flyer below for more information:

City of Hartford and CTDOT Hosts Public Meeting

On Thursday, May 18, the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the City of Hartford will be hosting a Public Information Meeting. Attendees will be educated about the Albany Avenue Safety Improvements Project.

Click on a flyer below for more details...  

Hartford Elementary School Hosts Community Job Fair

On Thursday, May 11, the Rawson Lighthouse School will be hosting their 2nd annual Community Job Fair. 

View flyer below for more information:

City of Hartford Hosts 'Heroes For Babies' Kickoff Event

On Saturday, April 1st, the City of Hartford in collaboration with Hartford's Fire Department will host a Heroes for Babies event. This event will kick-off  their baby item drive which will take place throughout the month of April. 

For more information click on the flyer below:

UCONN and ShopRite Team Up To Fight Hunger

ShopRite will be fighting hunger courtside at the Huskies vs. Temple game on Wednesday, February 22, at the XL Center in Hartford.

As Partners In Caring, they will be hosting a food drive to benefit Hands on Hartford, a Foodshare partner serving our hungry neighbors in downtown Hartford.

Each fan that donates a non-perishable food item will be entered to win an autographed, Geno Auriemma basketball and four tickets to a future game.

Tickets can be purchased online at UConnTickets.com or call 1-877-AT-UCONN. Game will begin at 7pm.

Talking Poverty With State Officials

On Thursday, February 16th, the 4th annual #TalkCTPoverty Advocacy Day and Breakfast will be taking place at the Legislature Office Building in Hartford from 8:30-10:30am. Join us!