The average food price has skyrocketed due to corona virus pandemic and recent events. The FAO Food Price Index has saw a fresh record high of nearly 160 points.
A shocking 60% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.
The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on Connecticut Free Clinics, Connecticut Food Stamps, and food banks.
This guide will list helpful information about Food Bank in Hartford County, Connecticut and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.
What is a Food Bank?
Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objectives is to help low-income individual and families by providing food.
They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.
Food Bank in Hartford County, Connecticut serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.
How the Food Bank Works?
- 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
- 2. Its stored in a big climate controlled warehouse.
- 3. Food Bank in Hartford County, Connecticut distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches to who are in need.
Who can use Food Banks?
Many Food Bank in Hartford County, Connecticut and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.
There are different qualifying requirements, but many food banks have none. Just show up during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are the tips while .
- It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
- Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
- If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank was the first one established in California in 1972 and is the second oldest in the US. It operates multiple distribution centers across the United States.
Impact of Second Harvest Food Bank is huge, It helps 85,000 Santa Cruz residents avoid missing meals and empty stomachs.
Second Harvest Food Bank in Hartford County, Connecticut is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.
St. Mary's Food Bank
The St. Mary's Food Bank was a first local food bank ever established in the United States in 1967. The St. Mary's Food Bank mission is food security and hunger relief for all Americans.
The St. Mary's distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year, It also operates its own food pantries to allow allow people to access food directly from their warehouses.
It also offer specialized after-school programs for kids and career training for adults.
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Hartford County, Connecticut
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Hartford County, Connecticut serve a hot, nutritious lunch 365 days a year, even in the face of terrible weather and ever-increasing demand.
Church Food Bank welcome anyone who is in need of a meal, regardless of the person's circumstance, with no questions asked. It also provide showers, laundry, mail, I.D. assistance and other essential services.
Feeding America
John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.
The Coronavirus epidemic put even more pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America has helped serve 6.6 billion meals to date.
The Feeding America have grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
Town of Avon Food Pantry/Bank
Community donations of non-perishable food items allow emergency assistance to residents throughout the year. During the holiday season, we provide food and gifts to low and moderate income families to brighten their holidays. The Food Bank is open Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., and is located in the back of Saint Ann's Church (corner of West Avon Road and Arch Road). If you have never visited the Food Pantry, please call Social Services at (860) 409-4346 or visit the office for eligibility requirements and to fill out an application.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (860) 409-4346 to book your appointment.
Address :
289 Arch Rd,
Avon, CT 06001.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Avon
Help Residents of Counties:
- Hartford
Windsor Food and Fuel Bank
Founded in 1967 as the Windsor Community Service Council in Windsor, CT, the Windsor Food and Fuel Bank is a non-profit organization of concerned private volunteer citizens. The goal of the WCSC is to help people in need in the Town of Windsor. The Council is an advocate for those in need and their mission is to make sure that no person goes hungry, is cold, or is without basic necessities. In working closely with the Town of Windsor through the Social Services Division, the Windsor Food & Fuel Bank provides: The Windsor Food Bank, Emergency assistance with utilities through the Windsor Fuel Bank, Providing emergency funding for other basic needs. The Windsor Food Bank provides supplemental food for low income Windsor residents. It is located at the L.P. Wilson Community center and is stocked with dry and canned goods as well as fresh fruits and vegetables and frozen meat. Currently there are 461 registered households. The Food Bank is coordinated by Windsor Social Services and is staffed by Social Services staff and an amazing group of volunteers. To qualify to use the Food Bank you must be Windsor resident and meet certain financial eligibility guidelines.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (860) 285-1839 to book your appointment.
Address :
599 Matianuck Ave,
Windsor, CT 06095.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Windsor
Help Residents of Counties:
- Hartford
Town of Glastonbury - Glastonbury Food Bank
Glastonbury residents who are experiencing an emergency need for food may meet with a social worker at the Riverfront Community Center to request a bag of nonperishable food items, toiletries and other essential items, as available. All of the items in the Food Bank are received through the generous donations of individuals, groups and businesses. The Food Bank operates year round, and is open Monday through Friday during the daytime.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (860) 652-7638 to book your appointment.
Address :
300 Welles St,
Glastonbury, CT 06033.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Glastonbury
Help Residents of Counties:
- Hartford
The Joan C. Dauber Food Bank at Saint Francis
Some Facts About Our Food Bank: Opened in 1976; 1st hospital-based food bank in the nation; Serves over 1,100 families each month; Distributes over 134 tons of food annually; In 2013, served over 1,500 families at Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas; In 2013, hospital employees contributed 4,000 pounds of food and raised over $25,000 - just for the holiday food drive
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (860) 714-5174 to book your appointment.
Address :
500 Blue Hills Ave,
Hartford, CT 06112.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Hartford
Help Residents of Counties:
- Hartford
Food Bank of Marlborough
The Food Bank of Marlborough serves qualified residents of Marlborough, Connecticut. The hours of operation are 10 am to noon and 3:30 to 5:30 pm on Tuesdays, and the first Saturday of each month from 10 am to noon (donations only). Additionally, donations can be taken to the food drop off box at Marlborough Town Hall (non-perishable items), or at the Marlborough Elementary School office, which will accept monetary donations or non-perishable items (hours: school year 8 am-4 pm: summer 8:30 am-3pm). Donations can also be made to the administrative office during open hours. Students are encouraged to bring donations to school for drop-off. The Food Bank of Marlborough is now a 501(c)3 charitable organization, and is sponsored by the Congregational Church of Marlborough. The Food Bank of Marlborough is managed by Joanne Goode and Dave Wagner and is staffed by volunteers.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (860) 295-6008 to book your appointment.
Address :
3 Wilhenger Dr,
Marlborough, CT 06447.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Marlborough
Help Residents of Counties:
- Hartford
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally run program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP program is also known as Food Stamp.
SNAP benefits in Hartford County supplied approximately 40 million Americans in 2018. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.
In 2017, roughly 9.2% of American households obtained SNAP benefits, with about 16.7% of all children living in homes benefiting.
The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food Bank?
Specifically, Hartford County food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for Hartford County food bank assistance?
To qualify for food bank assistance you must provide:
- Current state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of all household members
- Current electric bill to prove residence
- Bank Statement for income verification