Data: 1 in 8 Connecticut residents experience hunger
Officials say food insecurity continues to disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic residents, with one in four residents hungry.
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New data released from Feeding America's annual Map the Meal Gap study shows that hunger remains an issue in Connecticut.
According to data, 470,000 people experience hunger in the state, a 23% increase.
That means one in eight residents and one in six children experience hunger.
Officials say food insecurity continues to disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic residents, with one in four residents hungry.
The majority of people impacted are those employed with one or more jobs or are seniors on a fixed income.
"We're going to continue to get whatever food we can and we're going to continue to get it out to the community via our 600 food pantries and our 113 mobile sites. We're going to do the best that we can, but I can tell you right now it's not going to be enough if the numbers continue the way they are," says Jason Jakubowski, president and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare.
A proposed bill that would fully funded the Connecticut Nutrition Assistance Program did not pass this legislative session.
The program purchases food in bulk that is distributed to food pantries, emergency shelters and soup kitchens.
Nearly 300 food banks, pantries and shelters participate in the program.
