DeLauro, Carrington: In Connecticut, the Face of Hunger May Surprise You

NEW HAVEN, CT--As families make plans to gather for Thanksgiving celebrations across the state, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and Connecticut Food Bank President & CEO Nancy Carrington are highlighting hunger in Connecticut and the continued need for food for struggling families in Connecticut.

“Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the traditional season of giving,” DeLauro said. “As we continue efforts to end hunger in Connecticut and across America, our local food banks and communities help bridge the gap for thousands of Connecticut children, adults and seniors.

In August, Feeding America, the nation’s largest provider of charitable food assistance to low-income Americans, released their report Hunger in America 2014 (online here). A total of 190 of Connecticut Food Bank’s food-assistance programs participated in the study.

“This report shines a light on the realities of hunger for many Connecticut families,” DeLauro continued. “While we often think of hunger as a problem of the very poor, this report demonstrates that there is a real need beyond those pre-conceived notions. The realities of those struggling with hunger, the ‘faces of hunger in Connecticut,’ would surprise most. More than half of Connecticut Food Bank Clients do not qualify to receive aide through government assistance programs. These are working families who are simply not able to make ends meet.”

“While the study results may be shocking for some to learn how pervasive hunger is in Connecticut, our network of nearly 700 food-assistance programs who are in the fight against hunger every day are not surprised,” said Carrington. “Many of our neighbors who are seeking food assistance have jobs, raise families, work toward education and struggle with health problems, like all of us. Too often, our clients also have to make difficult trade-offs to get enough food for their families.”

In September, DeLauro joined End Hunger Connecticut!, the New Haven Food Policy Council, the Community Alliance for Research and Engagement at Yale and the Center for Hunger-Free Communities at Drexel University to host the New Haven opening of ‘Witnesses to Hunger’ at City Hall. ‘Witnesses to Hunger’ is a national project featuring original photography and first-hand accounts from parents who have experienced hunger and poverty.

For more information about the Connecticut Food Bank visit www.ctfoodbank.org.



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