Capitol Connection: Fighting Hunger this Fall

From Thanksgiving to New Years, many of us celebrate the holiday season with food – lots of food. We find ourselves feasting on huge holiday meals, enjoying special desserts, and entertaining with family recipes throughout the season. But at the same time, hunger remains a serious problem for many throughout our state.

In Connecticut, approximately one in seven households are struggling to feed their families, affecting over 520,000 people. These statistics are shocking and unacceptable. The holiday season may be a time to indulge a little, but I think it should also be a time to give back to others, and more specifically, to fight hunger.

I am always inspired by the amazing generosity of our community, especially during this time of year. Thanksgiving in particular allows us to reflect on the good things in our lives, and give back by sharing the good with our family, friends and neighbors. Giving back by helping to feed others is one of the most powerful ways we can all make a difference in our community.

As the days grow shorter and the leaves fall steadily, I see countless examples of giving all around us. If you want to get involved this year, here are a few ways you can help. These are only but a few of the wonderful community events and programs that need your help, but they are also a great place to start.

Foodshare & the Jack Bannan Memorial Turkey Trot

This annual event gives everyone an opportunity to donate Thanksgiving dinners to neighbors in need. On November 19 from 8 am to 8 pm, people can donate turkeys and nonperishable food items at multiple locations throughout Avon, Canton, Granby and Simsbury. All food collected will be distributed by Foodshare to families facing hunger. This year’s goal is to collect 2,014 Turkeys and 20,140 lbs. of nonperishables. Cash donations are also allowed, with checks made payable to Foodshare.

Drop off locations include:
Miller Foods – Avon
Stop & Shop Supermarket – Simsbury Big Y Supermarket- Avon
Geissler’s Supermarket- Bloomfield Geissler’s Supermarket – Granby
Shop Rite of Canton – Canton Stop & Shop Supermarket–Granby
Henry James Memorial School (main parking lot by the soccer field) – Simsbury
Fitzgerald’s Supermarket – Simsbury Kane’s Market – Simsbury

For more information or to volunteer, contact Bob Gauthier at 860-658-2071 or Marianne Bannan at 860-668-5352.

The Litchfield Hills Elderly Nutrition Program & The 2014 Thanksgiving x 365 Days of Giving Campaign

Hunger and proper nutrition can become a significant problem for seniors living on fixed incomes. The Litchfield Hills Elderly Nutrition Program provides seniors with well-balanced and healthy meals in the Torrington, Lakeville, Litchfield, Falls Village, Winsted, Harwinton, Norfolk, Morris and Kent senior centers. In addition to the on-site services, the organization also runs the Meals on Wheel Program. Last year the MOW Program delivered meals to more than 500 seniors in Litchfield County. This month a campaign to raise money in support of the Elderly Nutrition Program and Meals on Wheels is picking up steam across Litchfield County. The program has a goal to reach $12,000 in donations by Thanksgiving, and right now they are about halfway there. Individuals as well as local businesses are also getting involved. Klebe Fuel Company, for example, is matching individual donations up to $300.

Donations can be sent directly to Klebe Fuel Company or to the nutrition program. Checks can be made out to “ENP” or Elderly Nutrition Program and mailed to: Nutrition Department, Sullivan Senior Center, 88 East Albert Street, Torrington CT 06790.

Please visit http://www.torringtonct.org/Public_Documents/TorringtonCT_Elderly/cafe for more information about this program. Remember $5.00 feeds a senior for a day, $1820 for a year – donations of any size can help!