by Donald Eng
WALLINGFORD, CT — Public officials from all three levels of government came together Monday in support of a common message: an estimated 360,000 Connecticut families should not go hungry.
In a media briefing at CT Foodshare in Wallingford, Gov. Ned Lamont unveiled a plan to provide $3 million in emergency state funding to Foodshare to help state residents who are expected to lose access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as a result of the federal government shutdown.
The Trump administration, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced last week it would not use a contingency fund to support the program, and will not reimburse states that cover the program on their own. According to state officials, that means effective Sunday there will be no new SNAP benefits. This will impact about 42 million low-income Americans, including about 360,000 in Connecticut. Unused SNAP benefits from previous months will still be available.
Gov. Ned Lamont speaks about SNAP benefits amid the federal shutdown on Oct. 27, 2025 at CT Foodshare in Wallingford. Credit: Donald Eng / CTNewsJunkie
“Connecticut families should not go hungry because of Washington’s dysfunction,” Lamont said. “While this $3 million in emergency funding will not fill the entire gap left by the federal government, it represents our state’s commitment to supporting our neighbors during this crisis. We are stepping up because Connecticut takes care of its own, and we will continue working to support our residents until this federal shutdown is resolved.”
Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves said the $3 million would allow CT Foodshare, the largest food bank in the state, to expand its capacity. She also issued a plea for those who are able to donate to their local food pantries.
“Donations of canned and boxed foods and monetary donations are especially needed now,” she said. “Together, we all make sure that no one falls through the cracks during this challenging time.”
Foodshare CEO Jason Jakubowski said the state contribution “will make a real difference for families across Connecticut who are facing an impossible choice between paying rent and putting food on the table.”
He said the funding would allow the organization to buy more food for distribution to local agencies and mobile pantries.
But even though he estimated the new funds would purchase about 6 million meals, that would only last about two weeks.
“This does not solve the problem,” he said. He added that in addition to the emergency funding to get through the shutdown, the group’s normal operations must continue.
The looming loss of food benefits is a “catastrophe in our country,” said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz.
“Starting Saturday, one in 10 in Connecticut will not be able to put food on the table using their SNAP cards,” she said.
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd, speaks about the federal shutdown and loss of food benefits at CT Foodshare in Wallingford on Oct. 27, 2025. Credit: Donald Eng / CTNewsJunkie
Worse, according to U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd, is that the country has an abundance of food.
“There isn’t anyone who should go hungry,” she said. She called the decision not to fund SNAP “shockingly cruel.”
Republicans at the state level will pitch in to help feed Connecticut families, said House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford.
“There is no question we are broken at the federal level,” he said. “People are being hurt.”
And while $3 million can buy a lot of food, he said it was clear that if the shutdown continued, that money would run out very quickly.
“Our caucus is willing to work with this administration to figure a way to get more funding,” he said.
That additional funding could come from the state’s Rainy Day Fund, should the shutdown continue, Lamont said. The initial $3 million came from the state’s MEdicaid budget.
In addition to Foodshare, there are local food pantries all throughout the state that are providing food to those in need and are also seeking donations, state officials said. To locate food pantries in Connecticut, visit 211ct.org.
For information on how to obtain food assistance or donate to CT Foodshare, visit ctfoodshare.org.For information regarding the impact of the federal shutdown on SNAP benefits in Connecticut, visit the DSS portal on the state website.