By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 11, 2026 at 11:26 PM
In the wake of the recent SNAP suspension, Connecticut residents are facing a challenging situation as they seek alternative means to secure food for their families. With no Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds disbursed for November, approximately 360,000 eligible residents are turning to local food pantries for support. This shift has led to long lines of cars and increased demand at distribution sites.
Bruce Hay, who coordinates a Foodshare mobile distribution in Putnam, reported a significant rise in demand, with 419 cars served this week, up from 330 the previous week. The United Way of Greater New Haven also witnessed a surge in visitors at their mobile pantries, serving 250 households in Hamden, many of whom were first-time visitors. Similarly, the Foodshare distribution at the Farmington Valley American Muslim Center in Avon served 139 people, marking the highest turnout for the site.
Despite the efforts of local organizations, the demand far exceeds the available resources. Gov. Ned Lamont allocated $3 million to Foodshare to aid local pantries, but this amount falls short of the monthly SNAP benefits typically provided. Jason Jakubowski, CEO and president of Foodshare, highlighted the ongoing crisis, noting that the organization is operating in “crisis mode” as they attempt to meet the doubled demand for food.
In response to the crisis, community members and organizations are encouraged to contribute to food drives. Individuals can organize drives at workplaces, churches, or neighborhoods, gathering donations and delivering them to nearby food pantries. Additionally, many town food pantries have collection boxes at local grocery stores where shoppers can donate non-perishable items.
State Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw of Avon is hosting a food drive in collaboration with Shop Rite and Gifts of Love, urging constituents to consider donating Shop Rite gift cards. This collective effort reflects the community’s commitment to supporting one another during this challenging time, embodying the spirit of neighbor-love and practical assistance as highlighted in Matthew 25:35, which emphasizes feeding the hungry and caring for those in need.
Source: Read the original report
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