Torrington Legislators Announce Funding for Friendly Hands Food Bank

Hartford, CT – State Sen. Andrew Roraback (R-Goshen), State Sen. Tom Herlihy (R-Simsbury), State Rep. Roberta Willis (D-Torrington) and State Rep. Anne Ruwet (R-Torrington) today announced that the Department of Social Services has approved a $40,000 grant to make capital improvements to the Friendly Hands Food Bank in Torrington. The funding will be used to replace the facility’s roof and siding and to provide proper insulation.

“I am very grateful that the state will contribute to the continued good work done every day at the Friendly Hands Food Bank,” said Sen. Roraback. “By repairing the roof and siding, we will ensure the integrity of the building so that its important services can continue long into the future.”

“Friendly Hands has been selflessly helping those in need in Torrington. I am pleased that we could help them,” said Rep. Willis.

The Friendly Hands Food Bank, a non-profit 501 (c)(3), began with a need and a dream. The need was to serve
low-income individuals and families from Torrington and its surrounding towns, especially those not served by state or local agencies. Maureen Hubert, the Executive Director, began gathering and distributing food for the needy in February 1991. Beginning in the basement of her home on King Street; Maureen and a small handful of volunteers began sorting, stacking and ultimately distributing non-perishable foods.

Sixteen years later, the Friendly Hands Food Bank is now located in its own building at 50 King Street and provides an estimated 57,000 meals per year to low-income individuals and families in our neighborhoods.

“Friendly Hands Food Bank in Torrington provides a helping hand to people in need throughout our region, and they do a tremendous job. This funding provides a helping hand to their agency for much needed physical improvements to their facility,” said Sen. Herlihy. “For all that the Friendly Hands Food Bank does for our community, it is only appropriate that they receive this grant.”

“These capital improvements are critical to the future of the food bank. This funding will go a long way toward helping the Friendly Hands Food Bank sustain the high level of service it provides to its clients and our community,” said
Rep. Ruwet.