The annual fundraiser for the kosher food pantry will be held on Thursday, Nov. 14, at Beth El Temple in West Hartford.

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Many Greater Hartford residents have felt the pinch of higher food, housing, utility, and insurance costs over the past year. But for families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – also known as SNAP or food stamps – a concurrent decrease in benefits has been downright catastrophic.

“Enrollment at our food pantry has increased by 45 percent since last year,” notes Jewish Family Services (JFS) Chief Executive Officer Katie Hanley.

Out of 630-plus clients at the organization’s Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry in West Hartford, 23% are under the age of 18, and 40% are 60 or older. The pantry is the area’s only source of free kosher food.

“We are spending 55% more to stock our shelves compared with last year,” Hanley adds. “Our clients come from all over Greater Hartford. As our name suggests, we offer kosher food to those who need it, including elderly Holocaust survivors. But we also provide culturally appropriate food to clients of many different backgrounds.”

Community members can learn more about hunger in Greater Hartford and support the JFS mission by attending the 12th Annual Event to Combat Hunger, to be held on Thursday, Nov. 14, beginning with a kosher wine and hors d’oeuvres reception at 5:30 p.m. at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. An educational program follows at 6:15 p.m. The evening will also include live entertainment, a raffle, and a silent auction.

Headlining event sponsors include PASI, The Max Cares Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and LESRO. Pia and Mickey Rosenberg Toro and Judy and David Rosenthal are the event co-chairs.

The event couvert is $85 per person; tickets are available at https://givebutter.com/jfshunger.

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