Thanksgiving for All Under Way

Connecticut Food Bank is once again partnering with local media, grocery stores and businesses for its 2013 “Thanksgiving for All” campaign, a series of special events, food drives and fundraisers to benefit individuals and families in need of food assistance during the holiday season and the cold winter months that follow.

As we approach the holiday season, 420,000 Connecticut residents are experiencing a cut to their SNAP (food stamp) benefits as of November 1, due to the end of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that passed four years ago. Connecticut Food Bank expects there to be an unprecedented need as these families are turning to charitable food-assistance programs for help.

The turkeys and “trimmings” collected will be distributed by Connecticut Food Bank to food-assistance programs in the days before Thanksgiving. The funds are being used to purchase additional holiday food and for the distribution of the donated food throughout Connecticut.

Last year, Connecticut Food Bank distributed enough turkeys and trimmings to provide more than 490,000 meals for people in need during the holiday season. Every food and fund drive is critical, not only to collect food and funds, but to increase awareness about the ongoing problem of hunger and poverty that many Connecticut residents continue to face.  One out of every seven households in Connecticut is struggling to keep food on the table.

“The number of Connecticut families turning to food-assistance programs continues to rise with 22 percent of workers earning wages below the Federal Poverty Level,” said Nancy L. Carrington, President & CEO of Connecticut Food Bank. “Because the soup kitchens and food pantries we serve continue to experience a high demand for their services, we need to collect as many frozen turkeys and other food items for those who might not have a holiday meal, or any meal, this time of year.”

“Thanksgiving for All 2013” Food Drive events include:

WPLR’s Sam Tilery Food Drives. WPLR is collecting frozen turkeys,    nonperishable food and financial donations.

• Branford I95 Rest Stop/Northbound. Friday, November 15. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

• Adams Supermarkets, Derby and Watertown. Friday, November 22, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

· Star 99.9 Food for Friends. November 21, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.   Star 99.9 is collecting non-perishables, frozen turkeys and financial donations to support Connecticut Food Bank. Stores open at 7 a.m.

• Stop & Shop, Milford, 855 Bridgeport Avenue

• Stop & Shop, Shelton, 898 Bridgeport Avenue
  
• Stop & Shop, Westport, 1790 Post Road East

KC 101 Stuff-a-Bus. November 22 & 23. Collecting frozen turkeys, non-perishables and financial donations. Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hamden Plaza, 2100 Dixwell Avenue.

WATR Big Heart at Big Y.  November 23.  Collecting frozen turkeys, non-perishables and financial donations. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Big Y, 85 Bridge Street, Naugatuck.

Stop & Shop’s Food for Friends. Add a $1, $3 or $5 to your grocery bill at the register and the funds will be donated to Connecticut Food Bank.  

In addition, Connecticut Food Bank warehouses in East Haven, Fairfield and Waterbury will have extended holiday hours to accept food and monetary donations from the public.  Visit www.ctfoodbank.org for holiday hours and directions.

Those unable to get to a food drive may donate a turkey or other items at Connecticut Food Bank’s Virtual Food Drive at www.ctfoodbank.org. For event or warehouse information call (203) 469-5000 or visit www.ctfoodbank.org.