Hunger in Connecticut is up 11 percent this year because of soaring food prices and the state’s overall high cost of living, according to Jacob Jakubowski, president and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare.
All are feeling the grocery price pinch, he said, and that’s especially true of those who rely on assistance for food through his agency and others because donations are also down, he and others who help feed the needy say.
“It’s not a great situation statewide,” Jakubowski said. “We’re definitely thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. We’re preparing for a very difficult holiday season.”
Connecticut Foodshare supplies food to more than 600 community partners, but smaller organizations are feeling the impact too. Those who get food from Connecticut Foodshare say there’s been a “trickle down” effect.
In New Haven, pastor Brenda Adkins and her husband, John, are grappling with having to abbreviate their huge “Day of Joy,” pre-Thanksgiving meal and food/supplies giveaway.
Volunteers from Philip Morris International US, USI Insurance Services, Liberty Bank and regular volunteers pack food for distribution by Connecticut Foodshare’s mobile pantries, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. Philip Morris International US donated $100,000 to Connecticut Foodshare in recognition of Hunger Action Month. Connecticut Foodshare provides food to at least one pantry in each of Connecticut’s 169 towns and cities. “Because of our efficiency and our volunteer force here, every dollar donated we can turn into two meals, so $100,000 is great — 200,000 meals is even better,” said Jason Jakubowski, president and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)
Brenda Adkins, of His Divine Will Fellowship, said the high cost of food and a decrease in donations are threatening the free sit down meal for 1,000 at its annual event, now in its 15th year.
They may have to eliminate the feast for families at the heart of the event and just hold the giveaway of groceries, new children’s coats, toiletries, diapers and more, she said.
“We don’t know if we can provide a hot meal as well as dried foods and the meal really goes to the heart of what we’re all about fellowship, the family stopping to gather,” she said. “We have to make a decision.”
The meal/giveaway, possibly to be held Nov. 22 this year, is for those in New Haven and Hartford counties.
She said some historic sponsors have had to pull back because of federal and donation cuts. This, she said, at a time when the need is higher than ever, as people are forced to choose between paying rent or other bills and feeding their families.
“The Thanksgiving meal may be an afterthought,” Adkins said. “No one should go without a hot meal for the holiday.”
In New Haven, pastor Brenda Adkins and her husband, John, are grappling with having to abbreviate their huge “Day of Joy,” pre-Thanksgiving meal and food/supplies giveaway. Here a child has chosen a coat at a past event. (Contributed)
Beth Boyle, co-director of The House of Bread in Hartford, which feeds the homeless and needy, said they are feeling the pinch of food costs as well, while serving more people.
Boyle said even though they don’t rely on federal funding, the cutbacks trickle down to everyone because agencies they work with have had federal cuts.
“Everyone is feeling the affects of the rising cost of food,” Boyle said. “It’s concerning and disheartening.”
She said that in August there was about a 15 percent increase in people seeking meals, compared to August 2024.
In August 2024 they served about 5,400 meals, compared to more than 6,200 in August 2025.
In New Haven, pastor Brenda Adkins and her husband, John, are grappling with having to abbreviate their huge “Day of Joy,” pre-Thanksgiving meal and food/supplies giveaway. This is a previous event. (Contributed)
Boyle said because of cuts by other organizations that supply them with food, they are now having to buy 60 percent of their protein items, the most expensive category. Previously they had most of it donated, Boyle said.
She said their overall food budget increase is 10 to 45 percent, depending on donations in a given month.
The Day of Joy event has for a few years supplied chickens instead of turkeys because the bird flu has caused turkeys to go up in price and created a shortage.
This year they’re struggling to buy chickens.
The Day of Joy requires tickets through the Adkins who start sign-up through schools identifying children in need.
To inquire about tickets or donating, Adkins can be reached at 860-710-0328 or via mail to their residence at 159 Blatchley Ave., New Haven, 06513.
In New Haven, pastor Brenda Adkins and her husband, John, are grappling with having to abbreviate their huge “Day of Joy,” pre-Thanksgiving meal and food/supplies giveaway. This is a previous event. (Contributed)
The Adkins will be collecting money and food Oct. 4 at Amity Stop and Shop in Woodbridge.
Jakubowski said the need for food is the highest it has been in eight years, even higher than during the pandemic.
He said those who receive food are often working one or even two jobs.
It’s not unemployment that’s a problem in Connecticut, he said, but rather the availability and affordability of housing.
He said while Connecticut Foodshare doesn’t rely on federal funding, they do get food from the federal government and this year the feds canceled 35 tractor trailer loads of food without explanation.
Jakubowski said there are 515,000 in Connecticut who are food insecure. That’s one in seven people and one in seven children.
The organization has been giving out less food because of the short supply, he said, adding he already knows they won’t have as much money to buy turkeys, he said.
