Senator Tony Hwang Leads Call to Action to Combat Food Insecurity: “Now Is the Time to Help Our Neighbors in Need”

Community leaders join together at SHU Community Theatre to launch food and fund drive amid rising demand and federal SNAP funding concerns

FAIRFIELD, CT — With food insecurity surging across Connecticut and critical federal nutrition programs in flux, State Senator Tony Hwang (R–Fairfield) convened community partners and nonprofit leaders at Sacred Heart University’s Community Theatre to announce a renewed statewide call to action: help feed our neighbors, support local food pantries, and ensure that no Connecticut family goes hungry this winter.

The press conference, hosted in partnership with Connecticut Foodshare, Operation Hope, and the Thomas Merton Family Center of Catholic Charities, spotlighted the urgent need for collaboration between state agencies, nonprofits, and residents.

Senator Hwang emphasized that while the state recently authorized a $3 million emergency contingency allocation for November, the potential loss of approximately $73 million in monthly SNAP funding from the federal government underscores the magnitude of the crisis. “This is not about politics — it’s about people,” said Senator Tony Hwang. “After the rigor and emotion of the election season, we must come together to do the real work: caring for those in need. Fiscal accountability and transparency matter, but so does compassion. Every meal we provide, every neighbor we help, brings us closer to a community that truly looks out for one another.”

Hwang also announced a Thanksgiving Food & Fund Drive to be held November 22 at the SHU Community Theatre, in partnership with a performance by nationally recognized children’s artist Laurie Berkner. The initiative revives a tradition Senator Hwang began 11 years ago, symbolizing the community’s long-standing commitment to supporting families during the holiday season. “The need has always been there,” Hwang continued, “but it is more urgent than ever. I’m grateful to Sacred Heart University and its iconic Community Theatre for once again opening their doors — proving that when public service, education, and community come together, we can make a lasting difference.”

Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare said the demand on food banks has reached record highs as the state faces unprecedented levels of food insecurity. “There is no Republican or Democrat way to solve hunger. Everyone wants to help on the issue. Folks down in Washington could take a page from the book here in Connecticut and work together for solutions. We serve 600 pantries across the state and have 110 mobile sites. We have seen our lines double in the last two weeks. It is a problem, the fact that 360,000 Connecticut residents that were getting SNAP benefits on Friday that are not getting them on Saturday is a major, major problem for the state of Connecticut and our country. SNAP is the first line of defense against hunger in our country–for every meal we can provide at the food bank, SNAP is able to provide nine. We are doing our best to help people, but the best way to allow people to feed their families is for SNAP to come back at 100%. Until SNAP funds are loaded onto people’s cards, we are in all out crisis mode.”

Local nonprofits and community organizations across Connecticut are echoing Jakubowski’s concerns. Carla Miklos, Executive Director of Operation Hope, praised the collaborative response from agencies and volunteers but emphasized the strain they are under. “Our organization was serving 800 households, and now we are experiencing a 20% increase. We realize now that this food is not supplemental but a necessity. There are so many people that are affected by this. We are asking for people to have basic human rights they deserve. Organizations like ours are critical to the community because every day we are there feeding people. Getting back on track with SNAP benefits is critical.”

Michael Donoghue, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, which operates the Thomas Merton Family Center, the largest food pantry in Bridgeport, added that the growing need is putting immense pressure on local charities. “Catholic Charities is the largest provider of food around the county. In CT, 75% of people on SNAP are children or the elderly, so there are so many families out there making decisions between paying their rent and feeding their family. On a typical day at the Merton Center we serve 30-40 families; just yesterday we served 110 families. The poorest of the poor are in need, they are hurting, and we need a solution. They are bearing the brunt of this crisis. The need is great out there.”

The collective message from these leaders is clear: while food banks and nonprofits are doing everything they can, they cannot meet the growing need alone. Restoring full SNAP benefits and strengthening the social safety net are essential steps to ensuring that every Connecticut family has access to reliable sources of food.

Residents, civic groups, and businesses are encouraged to participate in the upcoming drive or contribute directly to local food partners.

“Connecticut’s strength has always been its people,” Hwang concluded. “When we act together with transparency, accountability, and heart — no one is left behind.”

For more information or to donate:
Visit ctfoodshare.org, operationhopect.org, or ccfairfield.org.