November and December are typically the busiest months of the year for Foodshare, which helps those struggling with food insecurity. This year, that need is only intensified by the pandemic.
Foodshare CEO Jason Jakubowski said there was a great need for the organization’s help at Thanksgiving.
“Last year we needed to raise and distribute about 15,000 turkeys in central Connecticut,” said Jakubowski. “This year we distributed 21,000.”
Jakubowski said he anticipates the same level of increase at Christmas.
He said food insecurity exploded overnight when the pandemic hit. What was supposed to be a two-week food distribution event in April at Rentschler Field in East Hartford is still going strong, and it’ scheduled to continue until Dec. 22. Foodshare has distributed 70 million pounds of food at that site alone to over 200,000 cars.
A survey by Foodshare shows that 75% of those visiting the site had never needed help before.
“That means these people are brand-new to food insecurity,” said Jakubowski. “These are people who never needed a Thanksgiving meal before, and now they are trying to figure out where they are going to get a Thanksgiving meal from.”
Jakubowski said generosity during the holiday season usually helps the organization meet the extra demand this time of year. However, he admitted he is concerned about what happens when the federal CARES Act expires Dec. 31. Jakubowski said with more people looking for help, the holiday season and no further funding, he’s not sure how Foodshare will meet demand come January.
