People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, has donated $20,000 to the Connecticut Food Bank in response to the urgent request for help as the need for food assistance rises throughout the state.

During the summer, more families turn to soup kitchens and food pantries for assistance because their children are no longer receiving school meals and don’t have enough money to buy the extra food they need. Last summer, the Food Bank’s food supply was sustained by a one-time $593,000 federal allocation to help address the growing need resulting from the recession. That one-time allocation for additional food is no longer available, even though many people who were hurting from the recession last year are still in need today.

Connecticut Food Bank issued a public plea for help from the community on June 16 after it saw its food supply dwindle as donations dropped and the demand for food assistance remained high. “We rarely send out a plea for help like that one,” Connecticut Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Nancy L. Carrington said. “But we were very much concerned about the 650 food-assistance programs that depend on us. They were getting less food to feed people in need. We knew we needed to do something during the summer months, when we experience the highest demand for food,” Carrington added. “As it is, under the best circumstances, we aren’t providing enough food to satisfy the growing need in our communities.”

People’s United Community Foundation was the first to step forward and answer Connecticut Food Bank’s plea for help. “As soon as we read that Connecticut Food Bank needed emergency assistance, we immediately responded,” said People’s United Community Foundation Executive Director, Hank Mandel. “We are seeing a growing number of new families seeking food assistance who are struggling economically due to the recession. When families are at risk of hunger, it makes it even more difficult to lead a healthy and productive life.” Mandel is urging other foundations, businesses, and citizen philanthropists to join them in raising additional funds for the Food Bank so that no family in Connecticut is turned away and left hungry.

“I can’t say enough about the generous gift from People’s United Community Foundation. It was a much-needed, wonderful boost to help us stock our warehouse shelves at a time when more families are depending on us,” Carrington said. “It is with the help of the Foundation, and many others, that we can work to alleviate hunger in our communities. We are extremely grateful People’s United Community Foundation responded to our plea.”

About People’s United Community Foundation:
Established in 2007, People’s United Community Foundation was formed to help support programs and activities that enhance the quality of life for citizens in the communities that People’s United Bank serves. With special emphasis on programs designed to promote economic self-sufficiency, education and improved conditions for low-income families and neighborhoods, the funding priorities of the Foundation include: community development, youth development, and affordable housing.

About Connecticut Food Bank:
Connecticut Food Bank, the largest centralized source of emergency food in Connecticut, serves 650 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and low-income child and adult day programs in six of Connecticut’s eight counties: Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London and Windham. In 2009, Connecticut Food Bank distributed 18.7 million pounds of food, an average of about 37 tons of food every business day. Since its incorporation in 1982 as the state’s first regional food bank, Connecticut Food Bank has distributed more than 200 million pounds of food to people in need. For more information, visit www.ctfoodbank.org.

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Contacts:

Karen Galbo
People's United Community Foundation
203-254-5792
Karen.Galbo@peoples.com

Gladys Alcedo
Connecticut Food Bank
203-469-5000 ext.309
galcedo@ctfoodbank.org

Websites: www.peoples.com; www.ctfoodbank.org