  | Tom and Marsha Judson were on hand for the Connecticut Food Bank's open house tour of their new 80,000+ square foot storage and distribution facility at Research Park in Wallingford, CT. They are the proud parents of Carolyn Russell, a Food Procurement Officer at CT Food Bank, who has helped to put in place amazing logistics for distributing healthy foods to six of Connecticut's eight counties from this facility and a satellite facility in Fairfield, CT. With one in five families not able to meet their basic needs for nutrition in Connecticut, CT Food Bank's work is more important than ever. Many foods supplied are surplus goods from local supermarket chains. The quantity of food managed helps to keep the cost of feeding people down - for as little as fifty cents a person per meal. Opened in October of 2015, the brand-new distribution facility houses huge aisles of basic foodstuffs, as well as enormous refrigerator and freezer units - don't call them "walk-in" fridges, they're drive-in sized, and then some! The quality of the food is first rate, with an emphasis on healthy eating wherever possible. Mobile food pantry vans visit communities across the state regularly, staffed by people like Jose, who make it a point to be in ministry to all those in need. No income pre-qualifications are needed - get a ticket, get on line, and you'll have access to healthy food. Overcoming the "dignity barrier" is one key point to helping people to step forward for healthy eating. Education is also in the mix, with mobile vans also available to provide classes and adults hands-on experiences with healthy food preparation. CT Food Bank also supplies many local food pantries across the state, such as Middletown's Amazing Grace food pantry. First UMC Middletown celebrates Marsha and Tom's ongoing leadership in ministries for families needing food and dignity in our community, and all those who help in our community to bring food justice to all in need. For more information please contact ctfoodbank.org or contact our office for opportunities to make a difference in the world in loving service to God's creation. |
