Photo by Finn Wikstrom ’26/The Choate News
By Reid Bock ’27
Connecticut Foodshare (CTF), a food pantry located in Wallingford, has been awarded a substantal grant for $2 million from the government. Large-scale grants were awarded to three other organizations: $3 million to Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, $1.940 millon to Connecticut Hospice, and $1.438 million to the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen.
Conneticut Foodshare’s grant will allow them to revamp their facilities. CTF’s Institutional Giving Manager Ms. Laurie Robillard said this grant will “expand the capacity for refrigeration and freezer storage so that we can distribute more food.” Their storage will increase by an estimated 40%.
CTF was founded in 1982 and has since grown to become one of the leading hunger relief organizations in the state. It operates as a member of Feeding America, the largest hunger relief organization in the United States, and provides its nonprofit partners with more than 40 million meals a year. Ms. Robillard explained the importance of the funding for CTF: “We desperately need this food storage capacity, so we can send more food out to our partner agencies,” she said.
CTF also operates various programs and services aimed at addressing food insecurity. One such program, Food Distribution, collects and distributes millions of pounds of food each year to partner agencies, including food pantries, shelters, and community kitchens. CTF also operates mobile food pantries that directly bring fresh and nutritious food to communities in-need.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, another CTF initiative, helps individuals and families access crucial food assistance benefits. Additionally, CTF offers nutrition education programs to empower individuals and families to make healthy food choices on a limited budget.
United States Representative Rosa DeLauro presented the grant as part of a community project through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. She said that fighting hunger was one of her legislative priorities during the presentation, and she worked to secure the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children for the State of Connecticut, providing education, food, and support regarding hunger and nutrition. Rep. DeLauro said, “People are hungry and there’s no reason for people in the U.S. or their children to be hungry … we have food.”
In addition to grants from the government, CTF sources its food donations from local supermarkets, farmers, and food manufacturers. They also purchase food items at discounted rates through partnerships with suppliers or wholesalers. Upon receiving food donations, volunteers and staff members sort through the items to ensure they meet quality and nutrition standards. Once organized, the food items are stored in various units and refrigerators.
CTF plans the distribution of food based on factors such as demand, recipients’ geographical locations, and available resources. They operate multiple distribution sites across the state to reach as many people as possible. Ms. Robillard said, “We want to make sure that when food comes in … we don’t have to turn it away, that we can hold it and store it.” These grants have significantly aided CTF in reaching this goal.
Distribution events are a major contributor to CTF’s extensive outreach. These events are organized at community centers, churches, schools, and other accessible areas where individuals and families in need can access food assistance. Volunteers also play a crucial role in various stages of the process, from sorting and packing food items to assisting with distribution events. CTF is proactive in recruiting and maintaining a large number of volunteers.
Ms. Samantha King, an intern working under Ms. Robillard, said that CTF hopes grants like these will help “to continue to build our network.” CTF is constantly thinking of ways to expand the reach and impact of their organization.
Ultimately, the increase in storage from Rep. DeLauro’s $2 million grant will help CTF advance toward its many goals and aid hundreds of Connecticut families facing food insecurity.
