NEW HAVEN, Connecticut – With food banks facing increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Knights of Columbus donated $25,000 to the Connecticut Food Bank, providing tens of thousands of meals to those in need this holiday season.
The support for food banks is part of the “Leave No Neighbor Behind” initiative the Knights launched in response to the pandemic back in March. Through Leave No Neighbor Behind, Knights are encouraged to assist their neighbors, including those in their community and parish, their fellow Knights of Columbus, and others in need.
“The Knights of Columbus is pleased to provide this donation to help the Connecticut Food Bank put food on the table for thousands of families this Thanksgiving,” said Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight and chief executive officer Carl Anderson. “We remain grateful for the Connecticut Food Bank and the vital role it plays in our founding state.”
Receiving the donation from Knights of Columbus, Connecticut Food Bank chief operating officer Daniel Gomez said, “We are grateful for the continued support from the Knights of Columbus. This donation is perfectly timed and will go to work putting food on the tables of households across our area in the challenging weeks and months ahead.” Gomez thanked the Knights for “your amazing generosity to struggling families and individuals. We value your partnership and the deep connection that the Knights’ compassionate mission has with our mission to provide nutritious food to people in need.”
Demand for food in Connecticut has grown tremendously since the pandemic struck in March. Many Connecticut Food Bank member agencies have reported an increase of as much as 50 percent in people seeking food. There are people who were occasional visitors to programs who now must seek food weekly and there are people who coming for help who have never before relied on charitably donated food.
At the same time that need began to skyrocket, food donations dropped because of disruptions to the supply chain. Prior to the pandemic, two-thirds of food distributed by the Connecticut Food Bank came from food industry donations. Those donations dropped by nearly 60 percent and have not recovered.
With its origins and international headquarters located in New Haven, the Knights of Columbus has a long-standing partnership with the Connecticut Food Bank. Last year, the Connecticut Food Bank awarded the Knights with their “Corporate Impact Award.”
