Coronavirus Increases Hunger: Food Banks In Litchfield County

LITCHFIELD 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 Litchfield County, about 17,860 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 over $11 million between the minimum needed to put food on a Litchfield table, and how much money the population has in its pocket. That's even with the average meal in the county costing just $3.64.

Feeding America, 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 Litchfield County are listed below, or inquire at your local town hall or place of religious worship.

• Bantam: St. Michael's Food Pantry
• Bethlehem: Town of Bethlehem
• Bethlehem: Bethlehem CT Food Pantry
• Town of Cornwall Social Services
• Harwinton: Harwinton Food Pantry - Basement of Town Hall
• Morris: Town Hall
• Thomaston: Thomaston Food Pantry
• Torrington: Friendly Hands Food Bank
• Torrington: Fish of Torrington
• Torrington: The Community Kitchen of Torrington
• Torrington: The Community Kitchen of Torrington
• Torrington: Salvation Army - Torrington Corps Community Center
• Winsted United Methodist Church Thrift Shop And Food Pantry

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.