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Sponsored by: Connecticut Foodshare
October 21, 2021 Giving Guide 2021

Connecticut Foodshare

 

MISSION:

To deliver an informed and equitable response to hunger by mobilizing community partners,
volunteers, and supporters.

Connecticut Foodshare is the food bank serving all of Connecticut and a member of the national Feeding America network. Last year, Connecticut Foodshare distributed enough food to provide nearly 47 million meals through a network of 700 community-based hunger relief programs, including food pantries, community kitchens, and emergency shelters, while also working on long-term solutions to food insecurity. More than 8,000 volunteers help power the work of Connecticut Foodshare. Last year, they gave more than 62,000 hours of service.

GOALS

  1. Continue to effectively respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and focus on transitioning to recovery operations to support the changing need in the state.
  2. Increase our capacity and the capacity of our network to best serve those struggling with food insecurity in Connecticut.
  3. Increase the amount of nutritious food being distributed through our network.
  4. Build strong partnerships with community groups to best coordinate wrap-around services that meet the needs of those we serve.
  5. Increase the capacity of the Connecticut Foodshare Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions so that we may better understand the nuance of food insecurity issues within our state to improve our response, as well as provide guidance to other organizations around the country.
  6. Continue to improve our benefits and organizational cultural as we continue to prioritize being an optimal place to work in Connecticut!

FUNDRAISING EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES

Walk Against Hunger

The Walk is the largest fundraiser for Connecticut Foodshare. The Walk raises funds and awareness about hunger in Connecticut. Not only does the Walk help Connecticut Foodshare, it also supports the partner programs that work with Connecticut Foodshare throughout the year to provide food to nearly 490,000 people, including 131,000 children struggling with food insecurity. The Walk is a fun-filled event with live entertainment and giveaways, hosted by local media personalities Renee DiNino and Scot Haney. Save the date for the next Walk Against Hunger at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in the spring of 2022.

Turkey and Thirty

Connecticut Foodshare’s annual Turkey and Thirty campaign kicks off in November. Donate a turkey to help our neighbors in need celebrate this Thanksgiving, plus $30 to support Connecticut Foodshare’s efforts to fight hunger throughout the year.

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

Connecticut Foodshare solicits individual donors throughout the year using direct mail and digital appeals. These appeals include: biannual newsletters, an annual fund, matching gifts, Thanksgiving and end-of-calendar year appeals. We apply for grants to foundations and organizations that fund basic need organizations in the state of Connecticut. Corporations give grants to us through their corporate foundations or marketing funds for sponsorships for signature events, including our Walk Against Hunger, and our Turkey and Thirty campaigns. We receive gifts from business with 3rd party events or cause marketing campaigns. We receive support from employee giving campaigns and matching corporate gifts. Companies can also give gift-in-kind to us via food drives and through virtual food drives. Virtual food drives can be set up by both people and businesses, to lend their support to Connecticut Foodshare.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

You can support our work in a variety of hands-on roles across the organization. Find volunteer opportunities at ctfoodshare.volunteerhub.com.

POST PANDEMIC

For many of us, 2020 was the single most challenging year of our lives, both personally and professionally. When the pandemic struck, food banks across the nation had to immediately pivot their entire operation. Connecticut Food Bank and Foodshare experienced an historic increased need in services.

Collectively we served hundreds of thousands of people throughout our state, many of them experiencing food insecurity for the first time. Nearly half a million Connecticut residents are still food insecure, unemployment rates remain high, and our country as a whole will continue to be in a period of self-reflection for the foreseeable future.

As we continue to navigate through the pandemic our obligation to the people we serve has remained steadfast...and has only been strengthened by an historic merger between Connecticut Food Bank and Foodshare. We are now Connecticut Foodshare and we are excited for all of the new opportunities that this merger will bring to the people in Connecticut who struggle with hunger. We remain committed to serving our network of 700 partner agencies and collaborating with the broader community to build effective solutions to end hunger.

It’s humbling to be here, it really is. My husband became really sick last year and hasn’t been able to work. With COVID, I haven’t been able to work and my adult son moved home so he could pay the mortgage. Connecticut Foodshare has been helping us supplement groceries. We get lots of fresh vegetables and fruit and we get meat, cheese, and bread. It’s been incredible and it’s been so helpful.

-- Lori, Mobile Food Pantry Client, New Britain, CT

ABOUT US

Year established: 1982

Annual revenues (most recent fiscal year): $10,725,000

Total number of employees: Over 100

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA(S):

The entire state of Connecticut

TOP FUNDING SOURCES:

Individual: 60%

Foundation: 20%

Corporate: 15%

Fundraising: 5%

CONTACT

2 Research Parkway Wallingford CT 06492

203.469.5000

www.ctfoodshare.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO
Beth Henry, Chair: Cigna

Alfred D. Watts, Vice Chair: Cornerstone Christian Center

Arlene Putterman, Secretary:  Community Member

Pete Sannizzaro, Treasurer: Talcott Resolution

Max Barry: Aetna

Tom Buckingham: Nassau Re

Jenny Chou: Wiggin and Dana LLP

Kristen Cooksey Stower, PhD: Rudd Center at the University of Connecticut

Molly Devanney: Highland Park Market

Harry Garafalo: Garafalo Markets LLC

Joe Gianni: Bank of America

Duncan Harris: Capital Community College

Katie Hunlock: Community Member

Maria Paredes: Beacon Communities, LLC

Mitch Podob: CooperSurgical, Inc.

Martino Rovero: Rite Aid

Heather Smith-Jaser: PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP

Wendy Wahl: Guardian Life

Diana Zhang: Bridgewater Associates