On Wednesday Morning State Representative Prasad Srinivasan visited the Mobile Foodshare site located at First Church of Christ on Main Street in Glastonbury.
For 45 minutes more than 100 people in need stopped by the Foodshare truck to get pickles, onions, lettuce and oranges. The food was donated by local grocery stores and distributed by volunteers on site.
“Of course it is great to see volunteers helping those in our community who need some assistance,” said Srinivasan, “but it is a sobering reminder that we are in difficult times and people are struggling to feed themselves and their families.”
The Mobile Foodshare unit has been a great success that has helped reach people all over the state. There are currently 57 sites in 19 towns- including, to some people’s surprise, the towns of Avon, Farmington and Glastonbury- proving that hunger doesn’t only reside in the cities. In 2009 the mobile unit distributed more than 2.6 million pounds of produce.
According to the Foodshare CEO Gloria Mcadam they have seen a 30% increase in registration at the Mobile Foodshare sites in just the last two years. Mcadam says she speaks regularly with people at each of the sites and has heard plenty of stories of people falling victim to the sour economy. With a slogan like “When Hunger Stops, So Will We,” it is clear that Foodshare will be around for a long time.
“I am so impressed with the work done by Foodshare,” said Srinivasan. “They provide such an invaluable service to our community but they don’t operate with well wishes and pats on the back. I encourage everyone to help out in any way possible. After all, it could be your friend, neighbor or family member in need.”
Because all of the food is donated by local grocery stores, financial contributions are the best way to help. For more information or to find out how to donate time or money please visit www.foodshare.org
