CFB Happenings

Touch-A-Truck:  On Sunday, June 1, the North Branford Recreation Department hosted Touch-A-Truck, an annual family-friendly event that allows children to get up close and personal with fire trucks, bulldozers, and other town vehicles.  Connecticut Food Bank benefited from the accompanying food drive that raised 353 pounds of food.  Thanks go out to all who attended and Star 99.9 for being our media sponsor and playing music at the event. 

Time to Plant A Row:  With summer upon us, Plant A Row for the Hungry is in full swing!   Volunteer PAR Coordinator Marilyn Wilkes reports that in 2007 the program collected one ton of fresh produce thanks to the generosity of local individual and community gardeners and farmers.  This year, we hope to double that amount.  Please check out our website to find information about Plant A Row and to download a brochure or email Communications Coordinator Chris Webb at cwebb@ctfoodbank.org to have a brochure mailed to you.  

A New Way to Donate:  A man called CFB after reading that we have a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest score a nonprofit enterprise can receive.  Due to our high standing, he and his fiancee have decided to donate $2,000 to Connecticut Food Bank, rather than spending the money to purchase an engagement ring.  Executive Director Nancy Carrington notes that in her 24 years with CFB, there has never been a donation quite like this.  We thank the couple for thinking of us during their time of happiness, and wish them all the best as they embark on their new journey.

Walk Against Hunger

The Walk Against Hunger, presented by Webster Bank, to benefit Connecticut Food Bank was a resounding success, surpassing 2007's combined total in Waterbury and New Haven with more than $162,000 raised!  Our popular Walk website saw increased traffic in its second year, impressively quadrupling the funds raised online with $17,500.

Again, CFB wishes to thank all the Walkers, donors, volunteers, and sponsors for helping us surpass our fundraising goal despite the tough economic conditions.

Also, in the first version of the May 2008 e-newsletter, we failed to recognize Hummel Bros. for donating and cooking up hot dogs for everyone at the New Haven Walk.  We regret that oversight.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Walks in 2009!

Hunger in the News

The Farm Bill Is Law: After months of deliberation, delay, and speculation, President George W. Bush vetoed the compromise version of the Farm Bill Congress sent to him in May.  After further uncertainty due to a clerical error, Congress, in a show of bipartisan unity, overrode the president's veto - only the 107th time in the history of the United States that this has happened. 

Among the new nutrition titles, the Farm Bill calls for a significant increase to $250 million for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) purchases per year with indexing for inflation; increases in the Food Stamp program with indexing for inflation; a change in name for the Food Stamp Program to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and increased grant opportunities to help fight hunger.

CFB thanks all who answered our call to contact your Congressional representatives to support our mission by urging passage of the Farm Bill.

Heart & Sole Circle

New Club Honors Major Walk Fundraising:  The Heart and Sole Circle was created this year to celebrate the achievements of those who raised $500 or more as individuals for this year's Walk Against Hunger.  The recipients of this honor will receive a jacket with the Heart and Sole Circle logo on it so they can wear it with pride at future Walks.  This year's recipients for the New Haven Walk are:

• Lenora Moore-Turner of New Haven, Charter Member
• Allie Carroll of North Haven
• Emily Carroll of North Haven
• Debra Goodwin of Brookfield
• Kristi Hanson of Branford
• Rhonda Harrison of West Haven
• Leslie Jenkins of Branford
• Jodi Johnson of Brookfield
• The Judd Family of New Haven
• Barry Kiesinger of West Haven
• Mary Kiesinger of West Haven
• Linda Kopec of West Haven
• Christine Latham of West Haven
• Wendy McLeod of New Haven
• Nancy L. Rogers of Oxford
• Helen Smith of West Haven
• Sarah Viglione of Hamden

Promotions to Fight Hunger

Country Crock will donate a meal to America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network if you share a "small change" you have made to improve your family's health. Tell your story online and you will help a family in need.

U.S. Foodservice presents Recipes from the Heart. All net sale proceeds from cookbook purchases will be donated to America's Second Harvest. Learn more and buy a cookbook at Full Plates Full Lives.

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