Opinion

Op-Ed: No One Should Go Hungry in Our Town

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According to the State of Connecticut website as of Wednesday, October 29th, “The Department of Social Services has received notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services that if the federal government shutdown continues into November, there will not be enough funds to pay November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits.”
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides monthly funds to low-income households to help them buy food. According to Jacqueline D’Louhy, the New Canaan youth and family services coordinator, our town in 2022 had about 201 families receiving SNAP benefits. Since COVID, more families have moved to town so that number may be up to 225 or more families. While Gov. Ned Lamont will be offering $300 million from state emergency funds, that supplement will not benefit New Canaan’s food pantry, so more donations are needed. The New Canaan Clergy Association invites you to consider how to help ensure that no one in our town or general area goes to be hungry by making donations to the St.