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caption, page 5:
Last Box
After more than two years volunteers all put their hands on the last box Oct. 30 before loading it into the last car through Foodshare. More photos on FB Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger on 10-30. Linda Lemmon photo.
Foodshare
ends but
food aid
to continue
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
The final Foodshare was held Oct. 30 after distributing more than 2 million pounds of food to those in need in northeastern Connecticut. But the need remains so the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse is already working on a Plan B and Plan C to continue to help.
Bruce Hay, coffeehouse vice president, said the group intends to set up food drives at local supermarkets to benefit TEEG, Daily Bread and Friends of Assisi. In addition, a food warehouse may be in the works in Manchester, being built through this winter and into the spring.
In addition Connecticut Foodshare said there are more than 700 options across the state for people in need of food. They urge those in need to check at: ctfoodshare.org/find-help; 211ct.org; and calling the state's helpline, 211.
A record-breaking 622 cars came through on the last Foodshare.
The Foodshare program was started by the Coffeehouse more than two years ago and brought food to veterans. When COVID-19 hit, 15 months ago, the program expanded to the general population. Given the military background of its founders, each Foodshare has been run with efficient military efficiency.
Hay, dressed as Santa and rain drenched Oct. 30, said that at the beginning the program was funded by a USDA grant and the 30-pound boxes included dairy and meat. When that program ended in last spring, the Connecticut Foodshare (formerly Connecticut Food Bank) stepped in with another federal grant to fund 21-pound boxes filled with produce. At least 1500 boxes were given free to anyone in the drive-thru setup.
While the program might have started years ago by the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse, it was quickly joined by sponsors including: the Town of Putnam, the American Legion Post 13 of Putnam, the Albert J. Breault VFW Post 1523 of Putnam, the Putnam Business Association and WINY Radio. For the Oct. 31 event Daily Bread of Putnam donated Twizzlers licorice candy for the volunteers to give to those receiving boxes. The volunteers, some dressed in Halloween costumes, didn’t forget the canines in the cars. Any dog spotted in a car going through the line got a dog treat.
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