Google To Donate $100K To Connecticut FoodShare

CONNECTICUT — Google today announced it would donate $100,000 to Bloomfield-based food insecurity nonprofit Connecticut Foodshare.

The donation includes $50,000 in unrestricted sponsorship dollars and $50,000 in Google Ad Grants as part of Google's Fall Food Moment. Connecticut Foodshare is one of 20 food pantries, food banks and food assistance organizations selected nationwide to receive cash donations of $50,000 each from a fund totaling $1 million and $50,000 in in-kind Ad Grants and support from Google volunteers.

"When you struggle with food insecurity, it can be hard to ask for help. Google makes it easier for those who need food assistance to find it – no matter where they live," said Dr. Katie Martin, executive director of the Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions at Connecticut Foodshare. "Anyone who visits a food pantry deserves to be welcomed with dignity. With the support of donors such as Google, the Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions at Connecticut Foodshare can advance better practices in food pantries to increase access to healthy food, develop a welcoming culture, and connect guests to community services."

The COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis that followed exacerbated hunger across America, where one in eight people will face food insecurity during their lifetimes. In Connecticut, Google searches for "extra food stamps ct" increased by 190 percent in 2021, and searches for "food donation near me" went up by 50 percent during the first week of November.

“I was proud to stand with Google a few weeks ago as they announced a partnership with our state community colleges and this commitment to Foodshare shows me they care about Connecticut from top to bottom and I am proud to see them as a partner and a friend to our state, once again," said Gov. Ned Lamont. "We continue to see food insecurity in our state, and it will take strong relationships and coordination to address it, and Google is helping to provide that support."

Google also launched new Maps and Search features to help people find food assistance near them:

• Food Bank Locator on Google Search and Maps: Google is vetting and verifying the 24,000 food bank and pantry listings in Google Maps and Search. With the new update, food banks and pantries will be able to update their Google Business Profiles to highlight hours of operation, services, types of donations accepted at their location and appointment availability where applicable.

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Information Panels: Users can search for the SNAP program and receive local, direct resources to help determine eligibility and information on how to apply for the benefit.

• EBT Payment Option: Users can search for “stores that accept EBT near me” and find a list of grocery, convenience stores and farmers markets nearby that accept EBT as a payment method.

Emily Ma, head of Food for Good at Google: "With the launch of these new features, we're working to ensure that all Americans get the information they need to put food on their tables, and we’re proud to highlight the organizations doing the critical work to tackle food insecurity head on."