State Reps. Derek Slap and Andy Fleischmann, and State Sen. Beth Bye will be hosting a food drive on Sunday to benefit the West Hartford Food Pantry and also accepting donations for Foodshare.

Submitted

State Reps. Derek Slap (D-19) and Andy Fleischmann (D-18), and State Sen. Beth Bye (D-5) have announced that they will be hosting a food drive to benefit the West Hartford Food Pantry.

The food drive will be held Sunday, Oct. 29, at Crown Market, 2471 Albany Ave., from noon to 3 p.m. with all food donations going to help local families served by the West Hartford Food Pantry. The representatives are asking that residents donate canned goods, pasta, cereal, rice, macaroni and cheese, applesauce, and other non-perishable items. More than 800 households receive food from the Food Pantry each year.

Monetary donations are also welcome. Checks can be made payable to Foodshare or can be mailed to 450 Woodland Ave., Bloomfield, CT, 06002.

“The West Hartford Food Pantry acts as a vital lifeline for those struggling to provide food for their families,” Slap said.“Politics isn’t just about conflict. We must come together to find solutions and help the community. I’m pleased to work with Rep. Fleischmann, Sen. Bye, and Foodshare to address a real need in our community and help these families.”

“There are individuals and families who need our help, and I hope as many people as possible will participate in this important food drive,” Fleischmann said.

“West Hartford is a very diverse community, that’s one of our strengths. But it also means we have citizens in need, be they teenagers or elderly, single parents or married couples. Hunger doesn’t discriminate,” Bye said. “I urge everyone to come out Sunday and make a donation to help feed their neighbor.”

“Derek, Andy, and Beth are true partners in our long, cumbersome battle to fight hunger here in Connecticut,” Foodshare President and CEO Jason Jakubowski said. “Not only do they offer legislative support, but they lead by example – and this food drive is indicative of that. I’m both thankful for their efforts and proud to call them my friends.”

“The West Hartford Food Pantry distributed more than 6,000 bags of food last year and our numbers continue to increase,” West Hartford Pantry Coordinator Nancy Stockman said. “We rely on the kindness of the community for food donations and financial support.”

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