Foncello Attends Church Food Pantry Distribution In Bethel

**News Release Submitted by Office of State Rep. Martin Foncello**

June 21, 2023

State Representative Martin Foncello (R-107) recently attended a drive-through food pantry distribution event hosted by Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel.

"The procession of cars was an impressive sight and I'm so pleased there is an organization in our area addressing this need in the community. Food insecurity became a more pressing issue during the pandemic when people lost their jobs and when meals weren't readily available for students in schools," said Foncello.

Walnut Hill Community Church has held a drive-through food distribution event twice a month since the pandemic began. They have partnered with CT Foodshare, which was founded in 1982. Connecticut Foodshare is a member of the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks.

"The need for groceries and other goods has not diminished in our communities. Even as late as this March, about 1,100 clients were served by the food pantry distribution," noted Foncello.

According to information from Walnut Hill Community Church, most of those served are from Danbury, but about 8% were from Bethel and about 2% each from Brookfield and Newtown.

"I am supportive of a new policy aimed at addressing food insecurity. A provision was included in the state budget for a food and nutrition policy analyst and incentives for grocery stores. As of 2019, the USDA found that one such food desert-census tract is in Bethel, an area classified as low-income and living far from a grocery store," said Foncello.

The analyst would create annual reports and databases to spread awareness about food access. The incentives allow municipalities containing a food desert to real estate tax relief. The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development could then provide a grant to the municipality for that amount.

The second monthly drive-through food distribution at the Bethel campus of Walnut Hill Community Church will take place on June 28th, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.