With the federal government shutdown disrupting the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, communities across Fairfield County are mobilizing to support households that rely on food assistance.
Easton’s Municipal Agent and Social Services Coordinator Daniel Simonelli is coordinating immediate help for households that need groceries.
“I just want those impacted to know that there is help for them during this time and that as the Municipal Agent and Social Services Coordinator I will do all that I can to support them,” said Simonelli.
Simonelli is accepting grocery store gift cards in $25 increments from Stop & Shop, ShopRite, Trader Joe’s, and Aldi. He can also accept cash donations (with a note specifying the cause) and checks made payable to The Town of Easton. Donations of nonperishable food are also being collected for the town food pantry and the Easton Senior Center. The Easton Rotary Club is selling grocery store gift cards to raise funds for the cause.
In Fairfield, food donations are being accepted in the lobby of Old Town Hall, and both entrances of Sullivan Independence Hall Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Operation Hope of Fairfield, which services residents in Fairfield, Easton and Weston, will pick up the donations.
Residents can also donate grocery store gift cards to the Town of Fairfield Human and Social Services Department, where they will be distributed to families in need. Gift cards can be dropped off at Fairfield Social Services, 100 Mona Terrace.
Bridgeport’s Social Services Department’s website lists ways residents impacted by the delay can find food assistance information on food pantries and the daily schedule of Mobile Food Pantry provided by CT Foodshare.
To help meet the rising demand, Gov. Ned Lamont announced that the state recently approved $3 million in emergency funding to help CT Foodshare serve more individuals and families across Connecticut during the delay of SNAP benefits. About 360,000 Connecticut residents, including the elderly, disabled and children and their families who rely on SNAP to meet a basic human need, access to healthy food, according to the announcement.
Simonelli emphasized that both donations and awareness are vital. Easton residents currently receiving SNAP benefits can contact Simonelli at 203-268-1137 to request support or schedule an appointment. Residents should bring proof of Easton residency, proof of SNAP benefits, and the number of people in their household. Eligible households can receive a gift card once per month during the benefit delay, along with a bag of groceries.
“I really want individuals to know there is help and where they can get it,” he said. “Donations are wonderful, but people also need to know where to turn.”
