Meeting the Increasing Need for Food for Connecticut Families

by Jason Jakubowski

I wish I had positive news to share, but unfortunately Feeding America confirms what we and our partners have been seeing across Connecticut - a 23% increase in hunger since the last study.

Our team and network of more than 650 partners are working hard to meet this increased need.

The most infuriating news of all is that now 1 in 6 children in Connecticut are food insecure; and food insecurity continues to disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic communities at the rate of 1 in 4 people.

“The most infuriating news of all is that now 1 in 6 children in Connecticut are food insecure; and food insecurity continues to disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic communities at the rate of 1 in 4 people.”

Yes, your neighbors are struggling. Individuals who are working hard at multiple jobs, senior on fixed incomes, or families who just happen to be running up against a challenging period in their lives - it is important to remember that it could be anyone at any time who needs food assistance.

It is disheartening and discouraging to know that as government resources have receded over the last year with pandemic era benefits ending, Connecticut Foodshare and this network have distributed more meals than ever before - and it still is not enough.

We need the government to play a larger role in ensuring we can get food on the tables of our neighbors who need that extra help, and one of the ways we an do that is through fully funding the Connecticut Nutrition Assistance Program (CT-NAP). We will continue to advocate for the increase in this program and look forward to updating you with more information on how you can help.

Thank you for your continued support of our mission.

Jason Jakubowski is President of Connecticut Foodshare. This column first appeared in the Summer 2024 newsletter of Connecticut Foodshare.