United Way Launches Grocery Assistance Fund

Connecticut United Way organizations, state legislators, and public and private partners are launching a community-driven effort to tackle food assistance across Connecticut.

The Emergency Grocery Assistance Fund provides families with grocery gift cards to help cover the cost of food and other necessities.

The fund originated during the federal government shutdown to support Connecticut residents affected by SNAP cuts.

“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 United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut president and CEO Eric Harrison.

The United Way, working with a bipartisan coalition of state legislators—led by state representatives Jaime Foster (D-Ellington) and Jennifer Leeper (D-Fairfield)—and other public and private partners, raised $50,000 for the fund in its first week.

Organizers used the donations to purchase grocery store gift cards supplied by area grocers at a bulk discount.

‘Powerful Example’

“We don’t want to see anyone in Connecticut go hungry, especially families with young children and our homebound seniors,” said Foster.

Through the fund, the United Way is distributing gift cards ranging from $25 to $100 to individuals experiencing food insecurity.

Private partners, including the Connecticut Food Association and CBIA, engaged with the business community to help launch the campaign.

CBIA members Stop & Shop, Big Y, and Eversource joined Walmart and the Antonacci Family Foundation to support the fund.

CBIA is proud to support @UnitedWayCT, State Reps Jaime Foster and Jennifer Leeper, @connfood, @StopandShop, @bigyfoods, @EversourceCT, and other partners to highlight the Emergency Grocery Assistance Fund helping #Connecticut families.
➡️Learn more: https://t.co/Mgrr3dBaKQ pic.twitter.com/aX4zCEwhTF

— CBIA (@CBIANews) December 10, 2025

“This is a powerful example of how the private sector can work hand-in-hand with nonprofits and government to strengthen our communities,” said CBIA vice president of public policy Chris Davis.

Local United Way organizations across the state are distributing the gift cards through Dec. 31.

Given the ongoing need, they plan to continue the fund.

“We’ve been able to continue it and look at how we can be of assistance during these cold weather months,” Harrison said.

Helping Neighbors

A 2025 DataHaven Community Survey revealed that food insecurity rates for adults and children have reached an all-time high.

Twenty-six percent of adults reported running out of money for food in the past year.

“The realistic challenge for so many families is not just the skipped meals or reduced food quality—it’s the constant stress of worrying about whether or not you’ll have enough,” said Foster.

“This has really been so inspirational to see folks stepping up to help their neighbors.”

State Rep. Jennifer Leeper

The United Way is asking the public to contribute to the Emergency Grocery Assistance Fund.

People can make a charitable donation at online or by texting the keyword GROCERY25 to 41444.

“This has really been so inspirational to see folks stepping up to help their neighbors, people they know, people they don’t know, to ensure that no children or families are going hungry,” Leeper said.