Coronavirus Increases Hunger: Food Banks In Hartford County

HARTFORD COUNTY, CT — The coronavirus has altered the way we meet, learn, dress and even walk down the street. As schools, businesses and sports leagues reopen only to close again, it's clear that scientists, sociologists and politicians can't agree on what our next steps should be. What's less obvious is the number of people who are now worrying about having enough to eat.

Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by year's end. That's 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic. For some, it's a matter of running short on grocery money before the week is out and eating a lot of boxed pasta and rice dishes.

For others, food insecurity means real hunger.

In Hartford County, about 105,050 people were considered food insecure before the pandemic, according to Feeding America's "Map the Meal Gap" interactive study.

There's a budget shortfall of nearly $61 million between the minimum needed to put food on a Hartford table, and how much money the population has in its pocket. That's even with the average meal in the county costing just $3.43.

Feeding America, who operates a pantry in Bloomfield and whose 200 member food banks are working to bridge that divide, reports both higher demand for services and more need for volunteer and donor support.

Some of the food pantries and other services available in Hartford County are listed below, or inquire at your local town hall or place of religious worship.

• Avon: Town Of Avon Social Services
• Avon: Gifts Of Love - Old Avon Village
• Bloomfield: Bloomfield Food Bank
• Bristol: The CFC/storehouse
• Bristol: Meals For The Needy - Zion Lutheran Church
• Town Of Burlington Community Services
• Collinsville: Trinity Episcopal Church
• East Granby: Friend-To-Friend Food Pantry And Thrift Shop
• East Hartford: New Testament Church Of God - Helping Hands Food Pantry
• Town Of East Hartford Social Services
• East Hartford: Saint Isaac Jogues Church Food Pantry
• East Hartford: South Congregational Church Food Pantry
• Enfield Food Shelf
• Town Of Glastonbury - Riverfront Community Center
• Glastonbury: First Church Of Christ Congregational
• Granby: Farmington Valley VNA - Granby Site
• Hartford: Catholic Charities - Archdiocese Of Hartford
• Hartford: House Of Manna, Hands On Hartford Faith Baptist Church Food Pantry
• Manchester: Manchester Area Conference Of Churches
• Town Of Marlborough Food Bank
• New Britain: Saint Ann's Church
• Plainville Community Food Pantry And Fuel Bank
• Town Of Southington Community Services
• Town Of Simsbury Social Services - Eno Memorial Hall
• Southington: Giving Back Food Pantry - The Tabernacle
• West Hartford: Jewish Family Services Of Greater Hartford
• West Hartford: JFS Kosher Food Pantry - Congregation Beth Israel
• West Hartford: Saint Thomas Apostle Church Food Pantry
• Town Of Wethersfield Social And Youth Services

Related: Millions Made Hungry By Pandemic Could Include Your Neighbor

• Restaurant Owner Hailed As 'Hometown Hero'
• United Way, Salvation Army, DoorDash Partner To Feed The Hungry

Food insecurity is often thought of as a "poor people's problem," but not all people living in poverty are food insecure, and not all food-insecure people live in poverty. Food insecurity is a complex issue sandwiched in with other systemic challenges, including poverty, low wages, affordable housing shortages, chronic and acute health problems, high medical costs and social isolation.

"Our members are reporting that many of the people they're serving have never sought food assistance before," Kathryn Strickland, Feeding America's chief network officer, told Patch. "Some people are reporting that people who formerly donated to food banks are now seeking assistance."

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.