'Hockey Helps the Hungry' Hopes To Score A Goal For CT Food Bank

MADISON, CT — When Sophia Rodham and Jenna Guglielmi started Hockey Helps the Hungry four years ago as part of the Shoreline Sharks, they thought about how blessed they are in their own lives to have all that they need. And that understanding inspired them to help others who do not.

"We wanted to help support the community around us," the girls said.

Sophia is from Madison. Jenna is from Branford. They are hockey players and in the hockey community, they knew they'd find support for their idea.

"We also realized how lucky we were to have such a supportive hockey community and realized that together we would be able to make a big difference for others," they said. And this year more than any others before, the need in their communities is so great.

"This year, we've realized that coming together to support one another is especially important as many families have been affected by the pandemic, we wanted to support our community as much as we could," they said.

Now, Hockey Helps the Hungry, with a "huge amount of support and help from our youth hockey team, the Shoreline Sharks, and all of the parents and players that have done so much to help us run the food drive," they're working with the Connecticut Food Bank to raise $5,000 to help feed the hungry, with a lot of help from "girls all over the state."

"As you know, COVID-19 has had a huge impact this year," the girls said. "Not only has it affected the health of our communities, but it has also caused financial hardships for many families."

Now both students at Taft, they've "had an amazing group of players and parents help us collect canned goods, and we've donated more than 3,000 pounds of food to the CT Food Bank so far. This year because of COVID-19, the organization can’t collect canned goods in person as we have in the past years, but we hope to continue the drive virtually."

But, now more than ever, financial donations are needed.

"While donating to the food bank has always been important, it is even more crucial this year, as food insecurity rates have increased by 44 percent to 400,000 people in Connecticut alone," the girls wrote in their plea for donations to the food bank. "We are hoping to raise as much money as possible to help and we would be beyond grateful for any contribution, no matter the size."

They created a video to go with their appeal.

The way to help is to donate here as Hockey Helps the Hungry is one of the many groups holding a virtual fundraiser for the Connecticut Food Bank. The goal is $5,000. They're about a third of the way there.

"This year more than ever, the Connecticut Food Bank needs help," the girls said.

Let's help them score this goal. Donate here.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.