In response to the federal government shutdown and its impact on food assistance programs, the Archdiocese of Hartford announced this week it has released $500,000 in emergency funding to food banks across Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven counties.
The aid comes directly from the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal and was ordered by Archbishop Christopher Coyne to meet urgent needs arising from the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to a Nov. 3 press release from the archdiocese.
SNAP, which serves over 42 million Americans, officially ran out of funding on Nov. 1, leaving vulnerable families scrambling for support. As CatholicVote reported, the federal administration announced a partial restoration of SNAP funds on Nov. 3. However, gaps in distribution and access remain, especially among low-income households already living week to week, and food banks are seeing an increase in demand, according to a Nov. 4 report from ABC News.
“The Catholic Church provides relief and hope for God’s children. It’s what we have done for over 2,000 years and what we continue to do today,” Archbishop Coyne said. “In the spirit of Jesus’ command to serve our brothers and sisters in need, I am pleased today to release $500,000 in funding from the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal to food banks throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford. These funds will help to ensure that those who rely on SNAP benefits for nourishment can still put food on the table for themselves and their families.”
The $500,000 is in addition to regularly scheduled support the Annual Appeal provides to local food programs. The funds were distributed immediately to bolster food banks struggling under the increased demand brought on by the federal lapse.