Seven local organizations focused on addressing food insecurity among older Danbury residents have been awarded mini grants to fuel their work. Recipients include members of the Danbury Food Collaborative, an initiative working toward improving food security for the Danbury community. On March 3rd, 2022 the following organizations were notified of their selection:
- Association of Religious Communities (ARC)
- Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut (CAAWC)
- Daily Bread
- Danbury Farmers’ Market and City Center
- Interfaith AIDS Ministry
- Purple Heart Ministries International
- Real Food Share
Projects being funded through these mini grants include the purchase of fresh produce, dairy, meat and non-perishables; equipment to accommodate older adults during outdoor events; investing in new refrigerators to store fresh food; supplying vitamins and supplements; providing heavy duty shopping carts; health and beauty aids; covering operational costs to harvest locally grown fruits and vegetables; along with other projects aimed at supporting the older community living in Danbury.
In total, $18,000 will be distributed among the seven organizations. Funding for the grants has been made possible with the generous support of the Peter and Lucia Buck Foundation, in honor of Dr. Peter Buck’s commitment to older Danbury residents, with support from the Age Well Community Council.
“United Way of Western Connecticut, in collaboration with the Age Well Community Council, are thrilled to fund these seven organizations,” said Casey Levene, Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of Western Connecticut. “We know that access to food is a real struggle for our aging population. Community collaboration is key to addressing this issue in Danbury. The innovative solutions being offered by these seven organizations are a great step forward in ensuring that all older adults are food secure.”
The Danbury Food Collaborative works to improve access to food, quality of food, and sustainability of food for all members of the greater Danbury community. Since its launch in 2013, the Collaborative has worked closely with food pantries and providers while securing grants to serve residents experiencing food insecurity across Western Connecticut. United Way of Western Connecticut provides backbone support to Danbury Food Collaborative.
To learn more about the Danbury Food Collaborative and their work, click here.