Héroes del hambre

Every week in a little neighborhood of Waterbury known as Hopeville, the community is making good on its’ name. Housed in Hopeville Church, this pantry started with a small monthly distribution, but the volunteers knew the need was greater. Nancy Gordon, now in her mid-seventies, started helping during the early days, “They had just started...at that time it was a once-a-month pantry. We didn't have much, it was very small.” Nancy was determined to get more food into the pantry so they could help more neighbors. Dusting off her sales background, she jumped in as the lead for Retail Rescue, Connecticut Foodshare’s food recovery program that connects food pantries to local food donors like grocery stores and neighborhood bakeries. Now on the road seven days a week, 3-4 hours a day, Nancy starts her days typically before the sun rises, visiting stores who have set aside food donations for their neighbors. “I'll pick up the deli...the produce. Whatever they have, if it's meat, bread, dairy, I bring it back.” Other volunteers and pantry guests unload the bounty of food from Nancy’s car, and then she’s back on the road again. Increasing food donations has helped this pantry meet the community need in just a few short years. “We had so much that we had to do a weekly pantry.” Now seeing between 180 and 250 guests at distributions, the volunteers are proud of the variety and quality of food they are able to offer neighbors. “People thank us. They tell us...if it wasn't for us, they may not have this meal for their table. The people are appreciative. It's rewarding for all of us. This is why we're here. This is why we do it.” About 20 grocery stores and local bakeries support the pantry currently, “We appreciate it, everything that the donors do. Whatever they have, they're able to give, and they feel good about that no matter what the amount is, because it all adds up.” Please join us in thanking Nancy for making meals happen for our neighbors!

Jamie and her husband, Jesse, welcomed their second child into a whirlwind of medical challenges. Born a micro-preemie, little baby Jason grew stronger by the day in the hospital while dad continued to work full-time to support the family. Jamie stayed by her son’s side, grateful for every milestone, while medical bills piled up. “It takes a toll on your finances. We were starting to charge our food…our credit cards were too high.” Jamie’s family stretched every dollar, and then their youngest daughter was born. Childcare was too costly, so Jamie made the only choice she could – she stayed home to take care of her three children. “It's a season of life, and you won’t have little kids forever.” Asking for help wasn’t easy, but it was becoming necessary. A local food pantry welcomed Jamie’s family with warmth and dignity, helping them regain stability. Because of generous supporters like you, her family was able to put food on the table. In that space, Jamie found her strength again. She joined the Connecticut Foodshare Neighbor Council—an advocacy training program that teaches neighbors how food assistance works, why it matters, and empowers them to speak up so more families can access food assistance sooner. Jamie became a powerful voice. “Food insecurity isn’t black and white, and it’s not always who you think. There are pockets of hunger everywhere. It’s important to use our voice so people can gain the confidence to ask for the help they need.” She’s passing that spirit of service on to her kids. “We’re trying to fight the stigma… we’re taking what we need.” And they’re giving back whenever they can. Her oldest, Charlotte, jumped at the chance to help rescue food from a local grocery store. She is proud to be part of a family that helps others. Jamie and Jesse are raising the next generation of helpers—exactly what our Connecticut communities need—children growing up seeing kindness, resilience, service, and bravery modeled every day.

Manuel Casanova, our Food Donations Utilization Supervisor, works tirelessly to ensure that donated food is safely and efficiently sorted and distributed to neighbors in need.  Recently, he shared this story about a group of Hunger Heroes who gather to sort potatoes as a tribute to our beloved colleague, Stuart French, who passed away. A group of volunteers recently joined us at the Wallingford warehouse. During their shift, they asked me if I knew Stuart French. I told them that many of us knew Stuart and remembered the impact he had on Connecticut Foodshare and our community. They then shared that they were volunteering in his memory because bringing people together to help others was exactly the kind of thing Stuart loved to do. Hearing them talk about him was incredibly touching. I had the opportunity to bring them upstairs so they could see Stuart's photo plaque and learn a little more about his connection to our organization. What started as a group of individuals coming together for a volunteer shift has now turned into something much bigger. They have officially named themselves "Stuart's Potatoes Group" and have committed to returning regularly to volunteer with us and continue honoring Stuart's legacy through service. It was a great reminder that the impact people have on our community doesn't end when they're gone. Stuart's spirit of kindness, connection, and service is still bringing people together and inspiring others to give back.

Meet Arnold Berman, our Stewardship Manager!

Vertical Church is an agency partner with Connecticut Foodshare and orders food for many pantries they oversee across the city of New Haven and nearby neighborhoods. One of those programs is a monthly pop-up food pantry at Atwater Senior Center, where Debbie and other volunteers have been in service to their neighbors since before the pandemic. As morning activities like coffee and games of dominoes take place, volunteers set up tables of food for the distribution. Eggs, meat, fruits and vegetables, snacks, and pantry staples are displayed for neighbors to choose from when their shopping time begins. The seniors who rely on Atwater Senior Center for support and community are grateful to feel a little financial relief from this free grocery boost. Debbie shared, “They know me, and they smile…they warm up because they know me, they see my face all the time. They bring it in and we set up the tables when it comes in. We have a little system here that when people come, we ask them what they want. It's like an assembly line when we get started here. We have certain tables that we manage, and we work together. I'm just moving and making sure we have enough on the table, keep replenishing the layout of the food. By the time we're finished, it's time for lunch for them. ” Debbie keeps her mother’s legacy – and her love for Atwater Senior Center – alive by helping her neighbors. “My mom had just finished her radiation treatments for breast cancer, and my mother was never social. She did go to church, you know, did a little few things at church. She never wanted to go out, very shy. I told her I was bringing her here, I said, Mom, just check it out. You don't have to join. When we left, she had signed up as a member. She learned how to make ceramic jewelry, and paint, too. She was so into it, and she brought all these things home. I was so proud of her. My mother loved it. She came faithfully Monday through Friday, and she became a volunteer passing out the lunches. It brightened her life so much. She’s been gone for 15 years now. When she started coming here, she was in her 80s. She passed away at 89. This place brought her a lot of hope, a lot of joy.” “I've been living in this community now for 40 years. I love it, you know. When my church mentioned doing a food distribution here, it was in my heart to do it for my mom, and it was right in my neighborhood. I wanted to do something…in my immediate community. My hand went up. I said, I want to do it in memory of my mom.” In addition to providing help during the pop-up pantry at the senior center, Debbie sorts bread at Vertical Church on Mondays to prepare for the many food distributions across New Haven. Comfortable with sharing her talent and compassion in many ways, Debbie has also been a member of Witnesses to Hunger since the New Haven advocacy program began in 2014. Debbie's not just staying busy, she’s recreating the joy her mom felt for many years in a community that welcomed her with open arms. She is also helping her own friends and neighbors navigate food insecurity, “I have a friend who I'm very close to. She's like a sister. I get her food now because she's a senior and take it to her. She doesn't come out…because she can't walk. I was grocery shopping for her, but now her son is taking care of her.” Debbie’s heart and compassion keep her going, “There are so many people who are food insecure. You know, I'm going to keep doing this until I can't do it anymore.”

Meet Miranda Muro, our Senior Director of Network Relations!

Thank you, Hiscox Foundation USA, for being true Hunger Heroes! Your generous $100,000 gift is making a meaningful impact for our neighbors facing hunger. A special thank you to the members of Hiscox's West Hartford, Connecticut team who volunteered with us! We’re grateful for your partnership. Watch the full video here.

In 2014, Chris and Jim Wrobel learned their neighbors were struggling to put food on the table. They could not turn their backs on their community, so they started volunteering at Connecticut Foodshare.

A Delicious New Partnership Fighting Hunger in Connecticut!

“I know that Connecticut Foodshare provides a vital role in our communities by distributing food to those facing food insecurity.” Meet Liz Teare, owner of GIFTS + ART on Trumbull in Hartford! Liz and her husband are longtime supporters of Connecticut Foodshare. They donate and volunteer with us, because they know how great the need is right now. GIFTS + ART on Trumbull is a wonderful, new addition to downtown Hartford. You can stop by to find beautiful gifts for all ages and artwork from local and regional artists. Thank you, Liz, for your generosity and commitment to helping fight hunger! 

We’re excited to launch our new Staff Spotlight series — giving you a chance to meet the dedicated people behind the work we do every day to fight hunger in Connecticut.

Steve Deane is passionate about helping our Connecticut neighbors get the food they need and deserve.

Sunny Lindamood has been volunteering for Connecticut Foodshare for over 20 years.