HARTFORD — House of Bread, a food pantry in Hartford, can now safely transport prepared foods to its clients.

Thanks to a gift from Foodshare and resources from its “Partnership Program.” With this help, Foodshare worked with House of Bread to help them purchase four shelving units and a bench scale. to transport hot foods.

The House of Bread exists in order to provide urban ministry to the economically disadvantaged in the Hartford area, administrators said. They offer a multitude of programs focusing on hunger, shelter, transitional living, affordable housing, education and job training. Their kitchen offers breakfast and lunch Monday – Friday, lunch on Saturday and Breakfast on Sunday, and serves 300-400 meals daily!

Foodshare’s “Partnership Program” was created by the organization’s Board of Directors to expand the work of Foodshare’s local food pantry, community kitchen, and shelter partners in areas critical to Foodshare’s goal of ending hunger in the region.

Keep up with all of Foodshare’s latest news and media updates by becoming a follower at www.twitter.com/Foodshare.

HARTFORD — With resources from its “Partnership Program”, Foodshare has worked with Loaves & Fishes Ministries to help them replace an outdated freezer. With the new commercial freezer, the soup kitchen will be able to continue safely storing food, according Foodshare.

Representatives said Loaves & Fishes Ministries, Inc. directly impacts families throughout the Asylum Hill neighborhood and beyond. In 2010, the soup kitchen provided more than 36,110 meals.

The program also encourages clients to make use of other available resources such as the organization’s Opening Doors Program, which provides job skills training and employment.

In addition to this recent collaboration, Foodshare provided 16,753 pounds of food to Loaves and Fishes Ministries in the past year to support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Hartford.

HARTFORD – With Hurricane Irene leaving many local households in the dark, many now worry they will have to throw out a freezer full of food.

Some are offering food to food shelter.

Foodshare said the agency has already received several inquiries this morning asking if donations are being accepted.  So officials have a few advice. First, it is recommended that people first contact a Foodshare partner agency in their own town to ensure the greatest efficiency.

In those instances where local programs are also experiencing power outages and are unable to accommodate such donations, Foodshare is happy to accept frozen food items that align with local health regulations.

Health regulations specify that donated products cannot be partially thawed, opened or homemade. They must be kept at a temperature of 40 degrees or less at all times, including during transport.

If you are looking to make a donation, please call 211 or visit 211ct.org to locate a food pantry, community kitchen or shelter in your town. You can also contact Foodshare at 860-286-9999 with any questions or concerns.

BLOOMFIELD — Ten cyclists on Tuesday will begin  a weeklong tour throughout Connecticut in an effort to “break the cycle of poverty” in Connecticut.

Foodshare will celebrate the conclusion of Brake the Cycle’s annual ride across Connecticut, an anti-poverty campaign formed under the leadership of the US Bishops Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

This year’s tour will take them through towns such as Manchester, Rocky Hill, Milford, Waterbury, and Southbury, ending in Bloomfield at Foodshare’s warehouse for a finale event co-sponsored by the CT Association of Basic Human Needs (CABHN).

The ride, which began locally in Manchester in 2003, was first created by members of St. Bridget’s Church. The original team cycled through Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland before meeting with cyclists in Baltimore who had cycled from San Francisco. The combined group cycled in solidarity to Washington, D.C. and attended an anti-poverty rally and press conference.

In 2004, the team recognized the need to take action against poverty within the state of Connecticut. Brake the Cycle has since been welcomed at over 50 congregations with another 6 to be added in this coming week alone.

MANCHESTER – Between Dec. 17 and Jan. 14, the Robert H. Lord Company is collecting non-perishable food items for FOODSHARE and MACC, a local food pantry and shelter.

They are also collecting for the ”WarmerDays” winter outwear drive clean & gently used hats, mittens, gloves, coats, and snow pants will be donated to a local area shelter.

All donated items may be dropped off at the Robert H. Lord Company, 220 Chapel Road, Manchester, Conn. Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Contact us at RHL for more information, or for more opportunities to get involved.

Robert H. Lord Company

220 Chapel Road
Manchester, CT 06042
(P) 860-645-8700

rhlco.com