Gov. Rell: Stimulus Providing Emergency Food Aid

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today traveled to a Connecticut Food Bank warehouse in East Haven to highlight the state’s use of federal stimulus money to provide immediate, much-needed assistance to struggling families caught up in the national economic downturn. Governor Rell also stressed the need for people who are still financially able to bear in mind the needs of the less fortunate on a year-round basis.

            “The economy continues to take a terrible toll on too many people in our state,” Governor Rell said. “Families all over Connecticut are looking at the stack of monthly bills and wondering how they’re going to make ends meet. And at a time when employers are cutting back hours – or worse, cutting jobs altogether – for some the questions and the worries have become even more burdensome. I am working every day to keep and grow jobs, to bring new employment and new investment into the state. But people are hurting now, many of them people who have never before needed help, people who – in the past – have been the first to offer help in times of need.

            “That is why I want to highlight some of the ways we are using federal stimulus money to provide that immediate help,” the Governor said. “Connecticut has put about $1.1 million in stimulus money to work – here at Connecticut Food Bank and at Foodshare – to bolster our ability to fight hunger all over the state. The vast majority of the money has gone to buy high quality food such as turkeys, cheese and other protein sources. The rest has gone for much-needed staffing and equipment such as trucks and forklifts to move that food where it’s needed most – because hunger knows no boundaries, especially in hard times.

            “And make no mistake: For too many Connecticut families, these are hard times,” Governor Rell said. “Food pantries all over the state are reporting an increase in requests for assistance. And while many of us understandably think more about hunger around celebrations of plenty such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, the fact is, hunger is a year-round issue, even when the economy is not adding to the problem. In fact, the summer is often a time of peak demand, because school meal programs are not available. The money we have received from the stimulus has been a big help, but the second part of my message today is a request to please continue to keep the needs of our food banks in mind all year ’round. Your help – your kindness – is appreciated so very much.”

            Founded in 1982, Connecticut Food Bank has warehouses in East Haven, Fairfield, and Waterbury and distribution sites in New London and Stamford. It serves more than 650 soup kitchens, shelters, food pantries and daycare programs in Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, and Windham counties.

            Foodshare, also founded in 1982, serves 42 towns in Hartford and Tolland counties. It provides food to nearly 400 local nonprofits that feed tens of thousands of people, including seniors, the working poor, and children.

            Through Connecticut’s Department of Social Services, the state has a number of programs that provide food and related aid, including:

• State Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): DSS contracts with Connecticut Food Bank, which purchases high protein foods and other nutritionally beneficial supplemental foods in bulk to be distributed by eligible food pantries, emergency shelters and soup kitchens to needy households. Approximately 300 food banks, pantries, shelters, etc. participate in the SNAP program.
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): DSS contracts with Connecticut Food Bank and Foodshare to distribute U.S. Department of Agriculture commodities to eligible food banks, food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens that serve meals and provide household distribution. These commodities include items such as canned vegetables, fruits, meat, cereals, etc. For more information on USDA nutrition programs go to: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/

            A listing of food pantries and emergency food assistance locations can be obtained by calling the toll-free state Infoline, 211.