Sen. Lesser Welcomes $17k to Address Food Insecurity and Access
State Senator Matt Lesser, Senate Chair of the Human Services Committee, welcomed news that the Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) has awarded nearly $115,000 to address food insecurity and food access across Connecticut, including $17,350 for St. Vincent De Paul in Middletown. The CT Food Policy Council, administered by CT DoAg, has awarded these funds through the Food System Capacity Building Grant. The awarded projects will focus on utilizing CT Grown farm products in the creation of innovative, localized programming to increase food access and address food insecurity in communities. Eligible entities included local food policy councils and/or food working groups, agricultural producers, food pantries, and farmers’ markets.
St. Vincent De Paul opened its doors in 1980 with the goal of meeting the needs of the community and offering hope. Today, the organization provides housing support, as well as nutritious food through their Soup Kitchen and the Amazing Grace Food Pantry. St. Vincent De Paul has been awarded $17,350 to purchase a freezer to increase the amount of culturally relevant food available to residents, including Halal products. The funds will also help purchase mobile shelving units for school pantries to increase distribution to middle and high school students.
“St. Vincent De Paul is a cornerstone of our city, and I am grateful that the Department of Agriculture is investing in building up these important community services,” said Sen. Lesser. “Food insecurity is an issue that affects people of all ages, races, religions and abilities, and this initiative to offer Halal food and increase food distribution to middle and high school students makes it clear that St. Vincent De Paul is ready to meet the needs of the diverse community they serve, and I look forward to continuing to be a supportive partner at the state level.” |
