CFB Happenings

Join the 2008 Walk Against Hunger:  Connecticut Food Bank presents the Walk Against Hunger at two locations.  The 3rd Annual Waterbury Walk Against Hunger takes place at Library Park on Sunday, April 27.  The 32nd Annual New Haven Walk Against Hunger kicks off at East Rock Park on Sunday, May 4.  Registration for both Walks begins at 1 p.m. 

Sign Up:  Visit the Walk Against Hunger website today to sign yourself or your team up as participants.  On-line registration is a safe and secure way to build a fundraising page for free. From your Walk page you can easily add photos, set a fundraising goal and e-mail friends and family to sponsor you – they can make a donation to you right on your page!

Take THE CHALLENGE: In THE CHALLENGE, Connecticut Food Bank's opponent is HUNGER. For Walkers, THE CHALLENGE is for you to recruit your friends, family, co-workers or neighbors to join your team and CHALLENGE friends or rivals to do the same. Then, see who can recruit a larger team – raise more money – or give more volunteer hours! While the successful contenders of THE CHALLENGE will only earn bragging rights, everyone, especially those in need, will WIN!

Plant a Row

Happy Spring!  This is Connecticut Food Bank's third year working with Plant a Row for the Hungry, and we encourage you to join in!  Plant a Row originated in Alaska in 1995, developed by the Garden Writers Association of America.

There is a great need for fresh produce and every donation helps.  If you are a farmer or gardener, we'd like you to consider reserving one row of seed beds for CFB. 

For more information, please contact coordinator Marilyn Wilkes at (203) 937-6939 or marilyn.wilkes@yale.edu. 

Hunger in the News

The Farm Bill:  On February 13, House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) and ranking Republican Bob Goodlatte (VA) announced a proposal that calls for $8.5 billion to go to federal nutrition programs over the next decade.  This is $3 billion fewer than the original House bill proposed.

America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network asks all interested in this process to contact their Senators and Representatives via the Hunger Action Center to request that the original $11.5 billion in funding be restored in the reconciled bill.

The Farm Bill funds crucial programs that work to keep the nation's hungry people fed, such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and The Food Stamp Program.

Barilla Cookbook Offer Extended:  The offer for Barilla's cookbook, Celebrity Italian Table, mentioned in February's e-newsletter, has been extended through the month of March.  You can download this cookbook free from Barilla's website.  For up to 100,000 downloads, Barilla will donate $1 per download to America's Second Harvest.

Sort and Mingle

Valentine's Event a Success:  On Wednesday, February 13, twenty-four guests braved the elements and joined us at our East Haven warehouse for the 2nd Annual Sort and Mingle for Singles.  After tours of our facility, guests were treated to hors d'oeuvres and time to get to know each other.  Then came the sorting!

After a sorting demonstration by Reclamation Coordinator Craig Maynard, our sorters got down to business, separating canned, bottled and boxed items for distribution.  Toward the end of the evening, when all the work was done, Terri Corning for the Pampered Chef brought out a trifle and cupcakes to commemorate this volunteer Valentine's event.

Everyone had a great time and we thank them for making this young event a success for the second straight year.

Get Interactive

Educating Kids about Hunger:  To explain to children about hunger, teachers and parents alike will benefit from the United Nations' recommended program, Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger.  This program aims to educate students about malnutrition and hunger, why people go hungry and how they can help in the worldwide struggle against hunger.  Curriculum models separate into primary, middle and secondary school levels, so all lessons are age-appropriate.  Each level consists of three lessons of about 45 minutes apiece.

After going through the lessons, students can visit the Youth Window link on the Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger website to further their education about hunger and to register to join the discussion forum with other students around the globe.