Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne Directs $500,000 in Emergency Funding to Local Food Banks to Address SNAP Shortfalls

For Immediate Release
Contact: David Elliott, Director of Communications & Public Relations
(860) 541-6491 / David.Elliott@aohct.org

At the direction of Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne, the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal has released $500,000 in emergency funding to food banks throughout Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven counties to address current shortfalls that SNAP recipients may be experiencing as a result of the federal government shutdown. These emergency funds are in addition to the funding that is regularly distributed from the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal to these food banks.

As has been widely reported through national and local media, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, ran out of money on Saturday, November 1 due to the federal government shutdown. SNAP is the largest food stamp program of its kind in the United States, providing financial assistance to 42 million Americans.

“The Catholic Church provides relief and hope for God’s children. It’s what we have done for over 2,000 years and what we continue to do today,” says Archbishop Coyne. “In the spirit of Jesus’ command to serve our brothers and sisters in need, I am pleased today to release $500,000 in funding from the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal to food banks throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford. These funds will help to ensure that those who rely on SNAP benefits for nourishment can still put food on the table for themselves and their families.”

The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal is a yearly fundraising initiative spearheaded by the Archbishop of Hartford with the intention of raising and distributing funds to organizations and ministries that serve communities throughout Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven counties.

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