Saud Anwar

Senator Anwar Shares Food Insecurity Resources, Discussion With Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz, Commisioners of Agriculture and Social Services

With nearly one quarter of Connecticut’s workforce out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals are stressed and unsure of how to respond. After joining Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Department of Social Services Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt, among many other representatives assisting the public on Tuesday for a digital roundtable discussion, Sen. Anwar is sharing details and information about food insecurity.

Even before the crisis, one in nine Connecticut families and one in seven children experienced regular food insecurity, Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz said, which makes this focus on food insecurity even more important. Many Connecticut residents are responding to the challenge, however, and the efforts are visible on weekday mornings at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, where thousands of people have received food donations from Foodshare. That is just one example of the larger responses occurring in response to COVID.

The full discussion is available on YouTube.

Resources for food insecure individuals include:

• SNAP benefits have been expanded state-wide, with the Department of Social Services having already released $32.7 million in emergency benefits disbursed in April and similar amounts expected in future months. Any household not currently receiving maximum benefits for their household size will receive additional funds. Another $72.3 million in new SNAP food benefits for children in free and reduced-price school lunch programs have been approved by the federal government.
• Foodshare is expected to continue holding food deliveries at Rentschler Field from 8:30 a.m. to noon on weekdays; while originally scheduled to run through May 8, the program is likely to be extended.

The following list of food distribution sites is also available for residents of the 3rd Senate District.

East Hartford

The following organizations provide food distribution. A schedule of food availability through mid-April is available online. Each organization has separate requirements and times for those seeking food; please call before visiting a location.

Food Distribution

• St. Rose Church Food Pantry, 33 Church St., 860-289-7916
• St. Isaac Ghanian Food Bank, 1 Community St., 860-290-1880
• St. Mary’s Church Food Pantry, 30 Maplewood Ave., 860-289-7916
• First Congregational Church of East Hartford Food Pantry, 837 Main St., 860-528-3133
• South Congregational St. Edmunds Church Food Pantry, 1301 Forbes St., 860-568-5150
• Charity SDA Church Food Pantry, 1535 Forbes St., 860-568-5866
• Free Bread from Agape Fellowship, 464 Tolland Street, bread and baked goods
• The Bridge, 400 Chapel Road Unit 1J, 860-372-4141 – by appointment only

Community Meals – Takeout Only

• Friendship Center, 12 Rector Street, 860-528-5605
• New Covenant United Church Methodist Church, 16 Church St., 860-528-2228

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

• Monthly food boxes for low-income seniors by appointment, 860-528-2228

Mobile Foodshare

Please visit www.foodshare.org/mobile for a full schedule and up-to-date information amid possible changes due to COVID-19

Ellington

The town has a non-perishable food bank located in the Human Services Department at 31 Arbor Way. Residents in need can receive monthly distributions and are asked to provide proof of residency, income and assets. The food bank is open by appointment only and operates during town business hours. Please call 860-870-3128.

Food Distribution

• Crystal Lake Food Pantry is run out of the United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake community room providing food to families in Ellington, Stafford and the surrounding region. It is located at 278 Sandy Beach Road; please email clfpellington@gmail.com for more information.
• Grandma’s Free Pantry is a “take what you need, leave what you can” food pantry open to the public in front of Ellington Human Services at 21 Arbor Way.

East Windsor

Please call 860-758-7763 for guidance on how to receive food assistance.

Food Distribution

• The Five Corner Cupboard Food Pantry at 140 Phelps Road is still operating amid the COVID-19 outbreak, though it plans to evaluate that week to week. It accepts donations Mondays from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with several dropboxes for non-perishables available around town. Please call 860-758-7763 for guidance on how to receive food assistance.

South Windsor

The town operates a food pantry through its Human Services Department at 150 Nevers Road for details. Please call 860-648-6361 for more information.

Food Distribution

• The Bridge Pantry at 400 Chapel Road Unit 1J offers food distribution in the community. Please call 860-372-4141 for more details.