Volunteer Spotlight: Peter Stagon

Peter Stagon, an East Windsor resident and passionate gardener and cook, joined the East Windsor Hunger Action Team in October of 2014. Peter immediately spearheaded gleaning projects that resulted in over 500 pounds of local produce being donated to the Five Corner Cupboard food pantry.

In February, Peter became a volunteer for Foodshare’s Retail Pick-up program. Peter was the Captain of the East Windsor Hunger Action Team at the 2015 Foodshare Walk Against Hunger where he helped to raise over $2,000.

Peter also makes and sells delicious homemade jellies from produce grown in his garden and all proceeds from the sales are donated to the Five Corner Cupboard and Pauline’s Stock Pot Soup Kitchen in East Windsor. Peter presented checks for $600 each to both Pauline’s and Five Corner Cupboard at the March Hunger Action Team meeting.

In a recent chat with Peter, we learned even more...

What is your day job? "ADL Counselor at Windsor Independent Living Association"

How long have you been with Foodshare? "Approximately 8 months"

How did you first become involved with Foodshare? "I went to a Hunger Action Team meeting"

Why do you support Foodshare? "It is so very good at what it does, help feed people who face hunger daily."

Most recent accomplishment? "I raised $1200 selling jams & garden items."

A personal/professional goal: "Develop a full line of garden products for fundraising."

Last read: "Ken Follett's The Third Twin"

What one word would you use to describe yourself? "Motivated"

Share something about yourself that few people know: "I used to participate in a prison ministry @ maximum lockup with Rev. Johnson."

From where does your inspiration/motivation to volunteer come? "My faith. I have volunteered at different soup kitchens & events over the years."

What is your favorite movie, book or song? "Les Miserables -- the book (by Victor Hugo), the musical and the music!"

What would I find in your refrigerator right now? "Mostly fruits and vegetables, chick and fish, milk, O.J."

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? "Besides helping family members, I would help establish more group homes for the developmentally disabled. I would also like to establish a non-profit that assisted people in becoming 'free' from addiction by addressing their underlying problems."

New Training Room Named for Famed Inventor

Foodshare’s training room is the place where volunteers and staff learn how to do crucial work in the effort to solve hunger. So it’s only fitting that the room be named for someone who spent his life in the pursuit of new ideas and problem solving. Herman Post was an inventor with a particularly creative mind, and his many inventions had tremendous impact on the world. 

His first and most famous creation was the tape splicer, which made it easy for recording engineers and film editors to cut and seamlessly combine pieces of reel-to-reel tape or film. The splicer meant that ideal parts of different versions of a song could be isolated and combined to make the perfect hit record. In fact, virtually every hit record from the mid-1950s to the mid-1980s was made using one of Herman’s inventions. He also created many other devices that became indispensable to the recording industry, as well as other fields, and he built a very successful company to make and sell these inventions. 

That success was in sharp contrast to his childhood in extreme poverty in a South Bronx tenement. Herman never forgot what it was like to be poor, so when he passed way last year, his daughter Amy Wiseman felt that the best way to honor his memory was to make a donation to Foodshare in his name with her share of his charitable trust. And on August 11, Amy and her three siblings arrived at Foodshare for the official dedication of the room. 

Check out the complete Campaign Spotlight here. 

In The Spotlight: Craig Anderson

A Member of Foodshare's Bridging the Gap Campaign Cabinet
 
The first thing you think when you meet Craig Anderson is, “Here is a can-do guy.” He’s tall, fit, and vigorous, seeming to be moving forward even when he is sitting still. He has bright eyes and a beaming smile. In a conversation, he focuses intently on what you’re saying, and when he speaks it is always worth listening to. He just seems ready to get to work all the time.

As it happens, he is a can-do guy. A University of Connecticut graduate, he’s been involved in finance for his entire career. He’s been a Senior Vice President at UnitedHealthcare since 2002 and was at Arthur Andersen for 12 years before that. He’s also been involved with Foodshare for over ten years, first as board treasurer, then as board chair, and now as an honorary chair, a nominating committee member, and member of the cabinet for the organization’s building campaign.

Craig first got involved with Foodshare when he was at Arthur Andersen and worked with someone who was then on the Foodshare board. “He approached me and asked if I would be willing to come on the board as treasurer,” Craig says. “Like a lot of people, I had heard of Foodshare but didn’t really understand exactly what it did.” Craig figured that, like any business, a finance role is one of the best places to learn how the organization really works, so he decided to volunteer for the board.

“One of the things that really stood out to me about Fooshare is what I call the leverage factor: the fact that a dollar raised and spent by Foodshare’s operations can replace ten times that value of food on somebody’s table. There are very few nonprofit organizations that can add that much value or meet that much need per dollar of financial contribution. That’s one of the first things I learned and admired about the organization. One of the other things that struck me and made me want to stay with Fooshare was the number of children that the agencies ultimately serve. A person might wish to debate whether an able-bodied adult should need support systems, but you just can’t argue that a child should not be food insecure.”

And when he’s not at work or helping Foodshare? Family life is central for him, helping to raise 11- and 13-year-old boys.

In The Spotlight: Thomas M. Buckingham, FSA

A Member of Foodshare's Bridging the Gap Campaign Cabinet

Thomas Buckingham is executive vice president of The Phoenix Companies, Inc, a boutique life insurance and annuity company in Hartford. At Phoenix, he is responsible for all product- and service-related functions, including product development, product implementation, and operations.

Buckingham joined Phoenix as an actuarial assistant in 1999 and served in increasingly senior corporate, product development and operational positions. He also has worked in strategic development and as chief of staff to the CEO. He served as senior vice president, Product Implementation and Operations, before being promoted to his current role in 2012.

He is also a long-time donor to Foodshare and a member of organization’s Cabinet for the Bridging the Gap Campaign. "I have believed in Foodshare's mission and business model since I first learned about the organization 10 years ago,” he says. “I got involved with the campaign to help a great organization deliver on its mission to end hunger.” Buckingham first served on Foodshare’s finance committee, before being asked to join the organization’s comprehensive campaign cabinet.

“When I first saw the campaign materials that got put together, I was really impressed with the story and how it was laid out,” he says. “And Gloria had a clear vision of what the organization could do. It’s not just about getting more food; it’s about trying to address the number of people who need help and attacking the problem from both sides. If you don’t address the need, I’m not sure how you can solve the problem long-term.”

“I think a lot of people, when they think about hunger, they think about some guy living under a bridge,” he says. “But when I see the stats, one in five children, it’s obviously far more pervasive than people realize. If people understood that, that it’s in your own neighborhood, they would see that you can go out and raise all the food you want, but the reality is that if you don’t help people with the other things, you can’t do anything. It’s about sustainability.”

Community service is a fundamental value for Tom Buckingham: he has been involved with Special Olympics and the United Way in addition to his Foodshare work. He says that his civic-mindedness has been inspired by his mother. “She is one of the most giving people I’ve ever met,” he says, “doing whatever she can to help other people. Also, I went to Catholic high school in Massachusetts, and it’s just one of the things I’ve always been interested in.”

In The Spotlight: John Patrick

In The Spotlight: Chase Family Foundations

The Chase Family Foundations of Hartford have been proud supporters of the Foodshare Walk Against Hunger since 1999. Every year the Chase family has issued 'The Chase Challenge' matching the first 50 collections of $600 from Walk participants who designate Foodshare as the benefiting program. 

David Chase and his wife, Rhoda Cohen Chase, are well known in greater Hartford for their numerous contributions to the local and global communities. Born in Poland, David survived a Nazi concentration camp, later immigrated to New York, and eventually settled in Hartford. He met his wife at the University of Connecticut and went on to develop Chase Enterprises. Throughout, they were actively involved in numerous charitable organizations, a characteristic that, without a doubt, was passed on to their two children. 

Foodshare’s relationship with the Chase Family all began in 1990 with David’s son, Arnold. On an early morning in February, Arnold picked up an issue of Hartford Magazine and read an article on Foodshare’s work to combat hunger in our region. He was so moved that he picked up the phone and, despite the early hour, President and CEO, Gloria McAdam, answered the call. Thank goodness!

In The Spotlight: Greg Garger

Name: Greg Garger

Occupation:

Human Resources Executive for Otis Elevator Co. a business unit of UTC

Role at Foodshare:

Currently Chair, Board of Directors

How long have you been with Foodshare?

Eight+ years in various roles

How did you first became involved with Foodshare?

I volunteered shortly after I moved to Connecticut (having volunteered at a food bank in Arizona for the 7 years I was there.  I was also fortunate enough to serve on the board in Arizona as well).

Why do you support Foodshare?

I believe there is no more worthy goal than helping to feed hungry people.

 Last read?

Killing Lincoln (O’Reilly and Dugard) right after seeing the movie “Lincoln”

What was the hardest thing you’ve had to learn partnering with Foodshare?

How many hungry families – and hungry children – there still are in Connecticut, and the number keeps growing. 

What has changed the most at Foodshare in your time with us?

As it gets harder and harder to source surplus food, I am always impressed with the entire organization’s creativity in still finding ways to reach and feed more people.

What has stayed the same?

The organization’s absolute commitment to its mission and its incredible efficiency in wringing the most food out of every penny donated

What are you most proud of? 

Raising two wonderful daughters with my wife, Laura (the greater share of credit goes to her!)

Share something about yourself that few people know:

I love to perform in musical theater, singing and acting on stage.

Where does your inspiration / motivation to volunteer come from? 

My religion and my family

If you were a plant (animal) what kind would you be?  Why?

I would be a soy plant because soy can become anything.

What is your favorite drink?  

Water (room temperature), though red wine is a pretty close second thanks to my Italian heritage

What is your favorite movie or book or song? 

Tie between “Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen and “Piano Man” by Billy Joel

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, what actor would you like to see play the role of you? 

Daniel Day Lewis – he is great in everything he does

If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money? 

Foodshare and several other organizations would be very, very happy.  Maybe I should start buying lottery tickets…….

In The Spotlight: Bakery On Main

It all started in the small bakery of a natural foods market on Main Street in Glastonbury, Connecticut. Founder Michael Smulders listened to his Celiac customers complain about the taste of so many gluten free products on the market. It wasn't right that they should have to sacrifice taste because of a food allergy. And so he made it his mission to create healthy, delicious gluten-free foods. Three years later, their gluten free granola is made in a 34,000 square foot manufacturing facility with state of the art quality controls and in-house gluten testing on every batch.  

Bakery On Main joined forces with Foodshare in 2007 and though they are a small company, they’ve proven to be a great partner in a number of ways. This small natural foods bakery now located in East Hartford has not only been responsible for donating over 34,000 pounds of food to us since that time, but most recently raised money for Foodshare by donating a part of their proceeds from Internet sales in December!

The small, but eager company also chose to participate in the Food Industry Convoy of Caring last year, providing goodies for Scot Haney, and smiling even while their company SUV was dwarfed  by the 53’ trailers surrounding them. The annual event helps to demonstrate just how important a role our food partners play in working to build a hunger-free greater Hartford. And after everything, they continue to ask how they can help Foodshare!

In The Spotlight: Dave Bruno

Name: Dave Bruno

Occupation: Store Manager with Stop & Shop Supermarkets

Role at Foodshare: Volunteer at the Regional Market

How long have you been with Foodshare? 2 years

How did you first become involved with Foodshare? Through work

Why do you support Foodshare? I attended a work related function at Foodshare and Gloria McAdam spoke. She presented us with a video showing the real people, children and their families, that need the help they receive from Foodshare. It was an awesome experience for me. After the meeting I asked how I could help.

What are you most proud of? My family, wife Kerri, daughter Madison, and son David Jr.

What is your favorite drink? Coffee. It fuels ambition. 

Where does your inspiration/motivation to volunteer come from? As a new dad it became very clear to me the awesome responsibility that comes with being a parent and having to provide both emotionally and physically for your children. I am glad that there is a place where parents can go and get help if they need it to feed their children. Any one of us could find ourselves in that position.

What was the hardest thing you’ve had to learn partnering with Foodshare? The hardest thing I learned partnering with Foodshare is how many people in our community are in need of basic necessities that we as a society take for granted.

Anything you would like to add about your volunteer experience at Foodshare? My experience at Foodshare has been very fulfilling. It is a place where you can feel good about donating your time and know that it is truly making an impact on someones life for the better.

In The Spotlight: Jessie Manfre

Name: Jessie Manfre

Occupation: Student at the University of St. Joseph/Nutrition Assistant at Manchester Memorial Hospital

Role at Foodshare:

Volunteer Surveying Clients for Mobile Foodshare Program

How long have you been with Foodshare? 7 months

How did you first become involved with Foodshare? Through a friend

Why do you support Foodshare? I support Foodshare because it is a great cause, supporting great people.

  
What one word would you use to describe yourself? Goofy

What are you most proud of? I am most proud of my annual toy drive.  It helps collect many great toys for the children at the local children’s hospital during the Christmas season.

  
Where does your inspiration/motivation to volunteer come from? I have always loved helping others and giving back

  
If you were a plant (animal) what kind would you be?  Why? A lion, I think they are fascinating animals.

  
What is your favorite drink? Iced coffee.  It helps me stay up late to study and wake up early to study more.

  
What would I find in your refrigerator right now?  Greek yogurt to go with my mother-in-law's homemade granola.

If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money? Donate to different causes, take my mother-in-law to Disney, and buy my father his own gym to run.

  
Anything you would like to add about your volunteer experience at Foodshare? Everyone that works with the Mobile Foodshare program, from the drivers to the person who heads each site, are all amazing, great, caring people.  And I am glad I got to work with every one of them.

In The Spotlight: Stop & Shop

Stop & Shop's roots can be traced back to 1914, when the Rabinovitz family founded the Economy Grocery Stores Company in Somerville, Massachusetts. Four years later, family member Sidney Rabb introduced an idea new to retail: the self-service, modern supermarket. By 1947, Economy Grocery Stores had grown into a flourishing chain of 86 supermarkets and the name of the company was changed to Stop & Shop, Inc. In 1996, Stop & Shop was acquired by Ahold, one of the largest food retailers in the world. Worldwide, Ahold employs 450,000 people and services the needs of 40 million customers in 28 countries every week.

In all that time, The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, has continued to be a good neighbor to organizations like Foodshare and the community agencies we serve.  Our partnership with Stop & Shop has led to some very meaningful contributions to the fight against hunger, including:

• The company donates over 7,000 pounds of meat, weekly, from 26 stores. They continually work to increase the amount of recoverable food, and have most recently authorized frozen foods to become a part of their food recovery efforts.
• Every year for the past 17 years, Stop & Shop has helped us kick off our Annual Turkey and Thirty Campaign with a donation of 1,000 turkeys through the HOG Run event.
• Stop & Shop’s ‘Food for Friend’s Campaign has been a great source of financial support to Foodshare. This year, recognizing there is a need year-round, Stop & Shop began the program during the summer months, a very challenging time of year for many food banks.
• Every September for the past 10 years, Stop & Shop has participated in the Food Industry Convoy of Caring and has been responsible for several other partners joining as well!
• Tino Rovero, Vice President at Stop & Shop, is an active member of Foodshare’s Food Industry Advisory Council and Board of Directors. Both groups require a substantial commitment of time, and provide the organization with an important source of expertise and guidance.
• Without volunteers, Foodshare’s work would be challenging to say the least.  Not only does senior management volunteer as evidenced above, but some of Stop & Shop’s managers and district managers have now begun volunteering regularly at Foodshare.
• At Foodshare, we’re always exploring new opportunities to engage volunteers while making a significant contribution to the community.  Most recently, Stop & Shop managers have helped us test the waters with an initiative that connects those in need with resume writing and household budgeting management  resources.

Like so many of our food industry friends Stop & Shop understands, and aligns with, our mission. They are tirelessly working to support Foodshare’s mission in every possible way, and for this we say “thank you!”

In The Spotlight: Lucy Hurston

Name: Lucy Hurston

Occupation: Sociology Professor/Department Chair,  Manchester Community College

Role at Foodshare: Volunteer

  
How long have you been with Foodshare? 7 years

  
How did you first become involved with Foodshare? Looking for volunteer opportunities for my students

  
Why do you support Foodshare? I would want to meet a volunteer like me if I ever fell on hard times.

  
What one word would you use to describe yourself?  Compassionate

  
What are you most proud of? The difference I have made in the lives of my students and colleagues

If you were a plant (animal) what kind would you be?  Why? I would be an orchid: fragile and sturdy

  
What is your favorite movie, book or song? Movie: Bicentennial Man (to understand what it means to be human)

  
What would I find in your refrigerator right now? Blueberry yogurt

  
If you found out you only had a few months to live, what would you do with the time? Spend every minute with my family.

  
Anything you would like to add about your volunteer experience at Foodshare? It has helped me to guide my students with understanding and developing their civic responsibility.

In The Spotlight: Price Rite

 

PriceRite is known for providing quality food to communities throughout the Northeast, but they also play an important role in helping our hungry neighbors. In partnership with regional food banks - such as Foodshare - PriceRite supports more than 60 charitable organizations in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.  These range from social service to faith-based initiatives, each one fighting hunger by providing food to those in need.
Every year, Price Rite coordinates the Check Out Hunger program, raising money to support anti-hunger work throughout their service area. Last year four greater Hartford stores raised over $8,000 in support of Foodshare! Representatives from the company sit  on Foodshare’s Food Industry Advisory Council - a committee made up of food industry experts donating time to advise us on new and existing potential partnerships.

PriceRite has been by our side as a participant in the Food Industry Convoy of Caring for four years, returning again this past year! This recognition event takes place every September during Hunger Action Month, and is our way of thanking friends in the food industry for their year-round support.  The event also brings to light just how important the food industry is to the fight against hunger.
Most recently, several PriceRite stores have begun a food recovery program, including those located in West Hartford, New Britain, Windsor, and Wethersfield. Stores are donating surplus eggs, meat, produce and baked goods to help stock the shelves of local pantries and other anti-hunger programs. In West Hartford alone, Price Rite provides an additional 800 meals each week for their food insecure neighbors! 

Like many of our food industry friends, PriceRite is committed to helping improve the lives of people in our communities, and for this we thank you!

In The Spotlight: Continuum of Care

Foodshare's Retail Pick-up program has had tremendous success partnering with human service programs that offer assisted living and on the job assisted coaching. This team from Continuum of Care in Southington started volunteering in May 2012.

"Volunteering at Foodshare has opened up a whole new world for Jeremy and Eric. [They] both love wearing their Foodshare name tags—I believe it's because it shows they have 'jobs' and are contributing to the community," says Jackie Morrone of Continuum of Care.

Their case managers, Shem and Ernest, report that this program has helped with their social skills because they have to meet, greet, and maintain friendly relationships with the staff members of the stores and programs they visit. It gives structure to their week and they look forward to going each day.

Jackie believes their favorite days are the 'long days' when they go on two runs to Target in Southington and then to Price Rite in West Hartford. She says this is evidenced by the fact that they both come back smiling and often singing.

  
Even though this team just began with Foodshare a few months ago they are already making five runs a week, recovering an estimated 3000 pounds of food per month...that's 2,250 meals for our hungry neighbors! Thank you to Jeremy and Eric, their coaches Ernest, Jeff and Shem, and manager, Jackie.

In The Spotlight: Grouten Farms

Since 1974 Grouten Farms has been offering residents of the Farmington Valley community high-quality, farm fresh produce. Leo Grouten, a third-generation farmer, got his start with vegetables at just 11 years old, and has worked hard to expand his family's farming tradition. The annual harvest has grown to include peppers, pickles, cucumbers, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, beans and corn!

Over a span of about 8 years, Grouten Farms has donated more than 161,000 pounds of perishable produce to Foodshare for distribution to our hungry neighbors. And last year Foodshare even piloted a local VAP program with Grouten Farm - VAP stands for Value Added Processing. Many farmers have a surplus of crops at the end of a season that they are unable to sell. Rather than plowing it under and  letting this nutritious food go to waste, Foodshare reimburses the farmer for the cost of picking, packaging and transporting the produce to Hartford. This enables the farmer to make a completely tax-deductible contribution at no added expense to himself or his business!

Through this new partnership, Leo harvested 38,155 lbs of fresh, sweet corn in 2011 and delivered it to our facility at the Hartford Regional Market. With such a great success, Foodshare plans to expand this program with Grouten Farm for the 2012 growing season and offer the option to other local farms as well!

In The Spotlight: Mary-Alice Sullivan

Name: Mary-Alice Sullivan 

Occupation: Retired 

Role at Foodshare: Front Desk and SNAP Outreach Volunteer

  
How long have you been with Foodshare? 2 1/2 Years

How did you first become involved? I had done another volunteer opportunity and enjoyed those that involved food, so I went online, found Foodshare and I was hooked!

Why do you support Foodshare? They are all business. Foodshare does not waste time or resources.

Most recent accomplishment: Completed editing an Employee Manual for another non-profit.

What was the hardest thing you've had to learn partnering with Foodshare? When you are involved with an organization that is so heavily dependent on volunteers, PLEASE and THANK YOU are the most important words. When I'm on the phones I try to remember there is no such thing as an unimportant call.

What has stayed the same in your time with Foodshare? The total committment to their mission of feeding hungry people.

What one word would you use to describe yourself? Happy

What are you most proud of? I'm a good cook and hostess.

Where does your inspiration / motivation to volunteer come from? I've been given a great deal in life and am now at a point in my life that I can begin to give something back.

If you were an animal what kind would you be and why? A cat, because they are so independent.

If you were a superhero, what would your power be? Don't know, but I'd like to have Wonder Woman's figure!

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, what actor would like to see play the role of you? Meryl Streep - why not the best?

If you found out you only had a few months to live, what would you do with that time?Sit on the beach at Watch Hill.

Anything you would like to add about your volunteer experience at Foodshare? It's been great, most of all the people - staff, volunteers and clients!

In The Spotlight: United Healthcare

  
United Healthcare (UHC) has a long history of community service and philanthropy. Locally, UHC employees have been supporting Foodshare for over a decade. They can often be found sorting produce at our Regional Market in Hartford. And as a very generous sponsor of the Foodshare Walk Against Hunger, UHC encourages employees to participate. This year, alone, they contributed more than $20,000 to fight hunger here in greater Hartford! 

Craig Anderson, Senior Vice President and CFO of UHC's Northeast Region, served on Foodshare's Board of Directors for 9 years, as both Treasurer and Chair, before being elected to Honorary Director in 2012. He continues to play an active role as a member of Foodshare's Governance and Nominating Committee. Brian DuPerre, UHC's Chief Privacy Officer and Senior Legal Counsel, is an active member of Foodshare's Board, and Colleen Runyon has been actively involved in Foodshare's Walk Against Hunger for several years as a part of UHC's Volunteer Council.

And the company's year-round support continues with Foodshare's Turkey and a Thirty Campaign in the Fall. Donations from both UHC and UHC employees help to provide a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for our hungry neighbors while ensuring they have access to the food they need during the difficult winter months.  

Without the support of organizations like UnitedHealthcare, Foodshare would never be able to meet the growing needs of all those who struggle with hunger. Thank you for your support...together we will build a movement to end hunger - it's only a matter of time!

In The Spotlight: Michelle Carpenter

Name: Michelle Carpenter

  
Occupation:Human Resource Consultant, Everyday Democracy

Role at Foodshare: Retail Pick Up Volunteer; on-call volunteer for Mobile Foodshare 

How long have you been with Foodshare? 1 year

How did you first become involved? I used to drive by the Bloomfield headquarters all the time and had heard it was a very well-run organization.  I knew a little of the hunger issues in CT.  I had some extra time and stopped by to get a tour and hear about volunteer opportunities.

Why do you support Foodshare? Foodshare is extremely well run and serves a real need in the Hartford and Tolland Counties.  The staff are exceptional and their commitment to supporting its vision/mission are superb.

Most recent accomplishment: My youngest son graduated from college last week.

Last read:All I Did Was Ask by Terry Gross

What one word would you use to describe yourself? Passionate

What are you most proud of? Raising two ethical, kind, sensitive, smart, engaged citizens. 

Where does your inspiration / motivation to volunteer come from? I was raised in a house by parents who volunteered all the time. They provided leadership in the community and taught others to do the same. Giving back is a family and personal value.

What is your favorite movie or book or song? Little Miss Sunshine - movie

Anything you would like to add about your volunteer experience at Foodshare? I really enjoy the interaction with the retailer as well as the Executive Director of the receiving agency. We have fun!

In The Spotlight: Dari Farms

Dari Farms is a family owned and operated distributor located in Tolland. Proud of their new, and very beautiful facility nestled into a hill in Tolland, the offered Foodshare staffer Ernie Pitti a tour. While speaking with a group of employees, they were all excited to learn what a huge role the company is playing in helping to feed food insecure families in their own communities!   

  

Since 1997, Dari Farms has been supporting Foodshare and many of our 128,000 food insecure neighbors throughout Hartford and Tolland Counties.  Over the past 15 years they have donated over 345,000 pounds of ice cream!

The Walk Against Hunger,  Foodshare’s largest fundraising event takes place on Sunday, May 6th and it wouldn’t be the same without ice cream treats provided for the walkers by the team at Dari Farms.  This year will be no different with their donation of almost 1,000 coconut fruit bars.  Dari Farms Ice Cream Distributors, is still another example of the so many other unsung heroes in the food industry who play  a tremendous role in our mission to end hunger!

In The Spotlight: Casey Aubin

Name: Casey Aubin

Occupation: Teacher at Madina Academy in Windsor, CT and full time Master’s student at Hartford Seminary.

Role at Foodshare: I have been working to contact and encourage various faith organizations to participate in this year’s Walk Against Hunger.

How long have you been with Foodshare? Since February

How did you first become involved? I was sent to Foodshare by Hartford Seminary for a work/study position.  Originally, I was supposed to teach English as a second language at a different program.  However, God really does work in mysterious and wonderful ways because that job didn’t work out and I came to Foodshare instead.  Coming to work here is an amazing experience that I am really grateful for.

  
Why you support Foodshare: Foodshare gives to those who need it most.  In order to make the world a better place, we need to start close to home.

What one word would you use to describe yourself? Enthusiastic

If you were a plant (animal) what kind would you be?  Why? As soon as I saw this question, I knew I had to answer it.  I told my students that being asked this very question was always possible in an interview and they didn’t believe me.  So here is my proof!  If I were anything I would have to say I would be a bee.  I always try to keep “as busy as a bee” and fill my time as much as possible.  We are only given so much time in life, so I don’t like to waste a minute.

Where does your inspiration/motivation to volunteer come? My motivation to volunteer and to be active in my community comes from my thankfulness for everything I have been given.  God has been good to me, so to show my gratitude I try to do my part to help make the world a little better for all of us.

What is your favorite drink? Why? While most people would probably say my favorite drink is coffee, because I have a serious love of caffeine, that’s not the best drink I’ve ever had.  When I was studying in Israel I had a frozen orange/mango drink from heaven that I bought from a street vendor.  Nothing has ever tasted as amazing as that did on that hot summer day in Nazareth.  Maybe it was because it was well over 100 degrees outside, but nothing was as delicious as sharing that drink with my friends on the side of that little street.

What are you most proud of? My students at Madina Academy.  After telling them about the Walk Against Hunger and about the work that Foodshare does, they were so ready to participate and eager to come up with new ways to fundraise, how could I not be proud of them? Every time I work with them and teach them, I am always so astounded by their willingness to learn and their amazing efforts. Teaching them is truly a joy.