Hunger Action Teams from across the region come together

Our first Hunger Action Team Symposium last week was a great success. The event, held at the Beth El Temple in West Hartford, drew 66 people, who included representatives from all 13 of Foodshare’s Hunger Action Teams. 

The purpose of the half-day forum was to bring together representatives across all HATs to share best practices and provide time for networking opportunities.  The agenda included the following:

A Best Practices panel discussion with representatives from Vernon, East Hartford, Hartford’s Northeast neighborhood, and West Hartford included response to donor fatigue, providing parent meals during summer meals, a community survey, as well as a family self-sufficiency program.  

A grant writing workshop was presented by Miranda Muro, Program Impact Manager at Foodshare. 

Eileen Peltier, Associate Dean for Workforce Development at Asnuntuck Community College provided an overview of SNAP Education and Training, which included a statement from a recent graduate who is now employed full time as a result of the program.

There were also opening remarks from Alicia Flynn, Foodshare’s Vice President & Chief Development Officer, and Dawn Crayco, Deputy Director of End Hunger CT!

The HAT Program receives its lead funding from the Our Family Foundation by Stop & Shop New England. Food from the Crown Market was generously donated by Barry & Cindy Lazowski.  Knox Parks Foundation in Hartford provided 85 packets of vegetable seeds for attendees to take home for personal or community gardens.  Based on feedback from participants, we’re planning additional HAT networking and training opportunities in the future.

Congratulations to all of the Hunger Action Teams and to Jim Palma and Bea Maslowski, the Foodshare staff members who further this important work!