High demand for mobile food pantry services at Bridgeport school linked to federal budget cuts
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim said a record number of families are feeling the cuts.
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More than 200 people showed up at a mobile food pantry outside of Geraldine Claytor Magnate Academy in Bridgeport Monday.
"We're seeing the same thing in communities across Connecticut - and it all stems from cuts to federal SNAP funding," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
"It's wrong and that's why I'm fighting it," Blumenthal said.
Jeanette Herron, who works for the school district, coordinates the visits by Connecticut Foodshare twice a month.
"We used to see 80 people here - but some days now we're seeing 240 or even 260 people. That's a big, big jump - a record jump - and it's directly tied to federal budget cuts," Herron said.
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim said a record number of families are feeling the cuts.
"That's why we're grateful to our interim School Superintendent, Dr. Royce Avery," Ganim said.
"Dr. Avery has been making these visits by Connecticut Foodshare possible, and we are grateful to him and to Connecticut Foodshare, of course, for everything they're doing to help our school families," Ganim said.
One woman, who asked not to be identified, said she depends on the mobile food pantry because her food stamps "are no longer enough."
"The food stamps just don't cut it anymore with all these high food prices," she said.
"Thank God for Connecticut Foodshare," she said.
