In The Spotlight: United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut has been supportingFoodshare for almost as long as Foodshare has been in business. Through a combination of both United Way Community Investmentgrants and individuals’ donations, Foodshare receives more than $430,000 each year to help fight hunger here in greater Hartford!

Thankfully, this support has remained steadfast through the recession allowing Foodshareto continue investing in much-needed anti-hunger work. Among these is Foodshare's SNAP Outreach Program, offering assistance to low-income individuals interested in applying for food stamp benefits. A cornerstone of US food security, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides monthly support to alleviate hunger and encourage healthier eating habits. With support from organizations like United Way, Foodshare has been able to develop this first-of-its-kind model program which engages, trains and supports volunteers who provide one-on-one screening for potential participants.   

While investing in Foodshare’s new work to end hunger, United Way has also maintained its focus on helping Foodshare’s core food banking program, so that families in need can get the food they need today.  A good portion of United Way’s funding supports this program, which distributed over 12 million pounds of food in 2010 ensuring 128,000 people, including 50,000 children, had fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods necessary to maintain a well-balanced diet.

  
United Way is more than just a funder to Foodshare though.  It is an integral partner and piece of our community’s safety net of services!

Foodshare depends on the help of more than 2,500 volunteers each year to continue helping our 128,000 hungry neighbors throughout Central Connecticut. Thanks to Volunteer Solutions, a database run by United Way, we are able to find and engage volunteers as needed, keeping up with the growing demand!

In addition, United Way 2-1-1, an information and referral service provided free of charge, is one of the programs that Foodshare partners with, and relies on, to connect hungry people across our region to the support they need to become self-sufficient again!  Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, callers can reach knowledgeable, multilingual staff for information on available programs and services that help people.