Connecticut United Ways Join Forces with State Representatives to Expand Grocery Assistance

Hartford, Conn. (December 9, 2025) – With nearly 58,000 families in Connecticut predicted to have lost significant SNAP benefits due to the permanent changes as a result of the federal H.R.1. bill signed into law on July 4, 2025, Connecticut United Ways, State Representative Jaime Foster and State Representative Jennifer Leeper announced a statewide grocery assistance initiative today. The support is available through grocery store gift cards distributed by local United Ways across the state.

“Connecticut United Ways are a proven statewide partner for rapid response efforts. United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is proud to take a leadership role in this initiative; within 48 hours of a conversation to support residents impacted by SNAP cuts and the challenges faced during the federal government shutdown, we got this program off the ground,” said Eric Harrison, Chair of Connecticut United Ways Chief Professional Officer’s Council and President and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “Food insecurity is real in our communities, and Connecticut United Ways are committed and prepared to support our residents,” added Harrison.

The 2025 DataHaven Community Survey reveals that food insecurity rates for adults and children have reached an all-time high; 26 percent of adults living with children run out of money for food.
Gift cards valued between $25 to $100 will be available across the state through local United Ways and are expected to be in the hands of individuals experiencing food insecurity by December 31.
As an expert in food insecurity, Representative Foster notes it’s critically important that people have the food they need to live healthy lives.

“We don’t want to see anyone in Connecticut go hungry, especially families with young children and our homebound seniors,” said Rep. Foster. “All donations will be used to purchase grocery store gift cards, which grocers have generously contributed to allow us to purchase in bulk at a discounted rate.”

Members of the public are invited to contribute to the Emergency Grocery Assistance Fund by making a charitable donation at unitedwayinc.org or by texting the keyword GROCERY25 to 41444. The goal of the fund is to offset grocery expenses for Connecticut residents experiencing hardship.

“People facing hunger should never be used as a political bargaining chip, and this partnership shows our commitment to ensuring no Connecticut residents go hungry,” Rep. Leeper said. “Thank you to Rep. Foster and Connecticut United Ways for their collaboration throughout this process. Also, a huge thank you to all of our very generous philanthropic partners who have contributed to ensuring CT residents are fed and cared for. It is initiatives like this that will truly make a difference for those who need it most.”

“We know that with high utility bills incurred during the winter paired with increasing food insecurity, the situation is exacerbated,” continued Harrison. “Each local United Way has long-standing relationships with volunteers, corporations, school districts, legislators, and municipal officials, and these are the networks we leverage to quickly respond to the food insecurity challenge. We are grateful to the retail stores that joined this initiative, which allowed us to purchase grocery gift cards at a discounted rate. Connecticut United Ways also greatly appreciates the bipartisan, bicameral coalition of Connecticut legislators and community partners that helped raise $50,000 for this fund within its first week,” concluded Harrison.

To learn more about the Emergency Grocery Assistance, please visit unitedwayinc.org.