Updates from State Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo for Oct. 28, 2025

October 28, 2025



 

 

At a time when vital food and healthcare programs hang in the balance, it may appear as though Democrats in Washington face only two options: cooperate with Republican demands to unlock SNAP funding or stand firm in defense of essential healthcare protections.

However, this is a false dichotomy. A third — and more principled — option exists: the Republican majority can put the American people at the forefront of their priorities and choose to engage in genuine negotiations, working toward a common-sense compromise that reflects the needs and values of the people they were elected to serve.

Connecticut families are already shouldering the burden of federal SNAP cuts, with 366,000 people at risk of losing the benefits that keep them healthy and nourished. Responsible action from the majority party remains both possible and urgently necessary.
 
Here in Connecticut we are doing everything we can to hold up and support families and individuals who need it most.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced $3 million in emergency funding to help Connecticut Foodshare expand its capacity to meet urgent needs. There is a Foodshare link in a section below, to help find a local mobile pantry.

The other bit of good news is that people with balances on their SNAP cards can continue to access those funds after Oct. 31. 

The state Department of Social Services said it is working closely with Connecticut Foodshare and the United Way to ensure no one falls through the cracks.

Perhaps, once we get through this crisis we can begin to address the fact that 70% of adult wage-earners in SNAP households work full-time hours (35 or more per week), and still cannot afford to feed themselves and their families. 
 
For now, please see below for what you can do to help locally, and what we are doing in the state of Connecticut. 
 

Ridgefield Social Services

In 2024, 381 Ridgefield residents received SNAP benefits. The state-reported average benefit is $331 per household per month, with the average allotment per person per day falling between $6 and $6.40. And while $6 per day seems a wildly small amount to feed a person across a whole day, the impact that these benefits have on folks is very literally life or death. 

Please consider donating to Ridgefield Social Services to help support our neighbors. That money will go directly to Ridgefield residents most in need.
 

Other Resources

The CT Foodshare truck will be coming to Ridgefield next Friday Nov 7.

When: Every other Friday, 9:45-10:45, please check the dates above or on the CT Foodshare website.

What: The CT Foodshare mobile food pantry

Where: St Andrew's Lutheran Church, 6 Ivy Hill Road, Ridgefield
How: Please park at St. Andrew's Church and remain in your car until your number is called. This is a farmer's market style distribution where consumers pick the items they want.

Please bring your own bags or cart.

The distribution will run for 1 hour and is open to anyone.
Please check the CT Foodshare website for up to date scheduling and if there is adverse weather.

CT Foodshare mobile pantry schedule:
https://mobilefoodpantry.ctfoodshare.org/

Alternatives:
Ridgefield also has Ruby's Pantries available to anyone at 5 locations across town:
https://www.clarkconstruction.net/blog-page/building-rubys-pantries

Please consider donating to Ridgefield Social Services to help support your neighbors. You can make an online donation at the link below:
https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/a0706d47-8502-4274-9b41-e2d8c3503ae1
 

Sincerely,

Aimee Berger-Girvalo
State Representative

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