CT Joins in Fight for SNAP, Connecticut Foodshare Gets Boost

October 29, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

You may notice that this week's newsletter is very heavy on pantry and SNAP information.

While we hope this crisis comes to an end soon, we want to ensure people in our district who need help can get it, or if you are someone who can help, you can help by giving.

In Avon,  there are 349 people on SNAP, and in Canton, we have 309. But, we also have 24% of our households who qualify as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE), also known as the working poor. 

These families may not qualify for SNAP, but they may need to turn to a food pantry to help supplement their food supply. 

Thanks to all who have reached out to ask how you can help. If you know of anyone who is struggling, please encourage them to visit a pantry or a Connecticut Foodshare mobile pantry site or to contact me directly. 

I also want to call your attention to the section that includes a summary of the legislation passed this last session. It’s a great resource for understanding the work we undertake when we are in session, and what some of the new laws are, and how they affect your life.

And last, but not least, I hope all the little ghouls and goblins stay safe out there this weekend, with Halloween falling on Friday night. Be sure to keep an eye out for children when you are driving through neighborhoods. 

Have a great week,

Eleni
 

CT Joins in Fight for SNAP

I was proud to stand with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong on Tuesday to announce a lawsuit filed by 25 states and the District of Columbia over the Trump administration‘s refusal to release nearly $6 billion in emergency contingency funding to prevent #snap benefits from being cut off this Saturday, November 1.  
 
Never before have SNAP benefits been withheld during a federal shutdown from the children, families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who rely on them to purchase essential food (including during the longest shutdown in history under this President when he was in office the first time).
 
Connecticut legislators at the federal and state levels and our constitutional officers are committed to finding a multi-pronged solution to this rolling humanitarian crisis. 


Never before have SNAP benefits been withheld during a federal shutdown from the children, families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who rely on them to purchase essential food (including during the longest shutdown in history under this President when he was in office the first time).
 
Connecticut legislators at the federal and state levels and our constitutional officers are committed to finding a multi-pronged solution to this rolling humanitarian crisis. 

Click on the image below to hear my comments.
 

Connecticut Foodshare Gets Boost 

On Monday, I was back at Connecticut Foodshare for Governor Ned Lamont’s announcement that he will be providing $3 million to them to shore up the pantry system.  As a reminder, Connecticut Foodshare has over 500 partner pantries and mobile food pantry sites. 
 
The $3 million is to cover the next two weeks at the pantries because SNAP benefits will not be available for November. We know pantries will see an increase in need because of the unfunded SNAP. We have around 350,000 people who receive SNAP benefits, and the average benefit is under $200 for the month. 

Hear my comments from the press conference below.
 

While we did get some potentially good news that EBT cards that have a balance may still be able to use that balance on Saturday, no new money will be put onto those benefit cards for November. 
 
This $3 million is in no way intended to replace the $72 million that the federal government should be sending for the #SNAP program (our tax dollars). Additionally, this is the first time in history during a shutdown that the federal government is not funding SNAP, even though they have a $5 billion reserve set aside by Congress explicitly to fund the program in a situation like this federal shutdown. 
 
If you can volunteer your time or donate to Connecticut Foodshare or a local pantry, now is the time.

If you are doing a food drive, we recommend that you donate that to your local pantry. If you are collecting monetary donations, those can go to Connecticut Foodshare or to your local pantry.  

More information on locations and volunteering can be found at ConnecticutFoodshare.org.
 

Community Food Drive in Canton 

I hope you'll join me in helping fill the shelves of Gifts of Love during our upcoming food drive at Shop Rite.

Special thanks to the Joseph family and their team for always stepping up for our hungry neighbors.

Some of the items that the pantry needs are:

  • Pasta and pasta sauce
  • Jelly
  • Cereal and oatmeal
  • Mayo, ketchup, mustard
  • Soups and broth (no glass, please)
  • Shampoo, deodorant, body wash
  • Canned soup (no glass, please)

You can purchase these the day of the food drive, or if you are unable to make it that day, purchase them and drop off at Gifts of Love in Avon at 34 E. Main Street.
 

FVHD Food Insecurity Summit 
 

Miller Farms Cares Really Cares

Miller Farms Cares, the nonprofit arm of Miller Foods in Avon, is in its third year of providing Thanksgiving meals to Connecticut residents. 

Donations are welcome, allowing Miller Foods to provide turkeys to Connecticut Foodshare. Please click HERE for more details in Avon Patch.
 

Access Health CT Open Enrollment 

Open Enrollment for Access Health CT's (AHCT) health and dental insurance remains on track to begin Saturday, Nov. 1, and end Monday, Dec. 15, for plans beginning at the start of next year. Residents can enroll until Thursday, Jan. 15, for plans beginning in February.

You may have received a letter in the mail warning of healthcare premium price increases starting Jan. 1 due to legislation passed in the U.S. Congress this year. Currently, the federal government is shut down as those price increases are debated and negotiated.

As it stands, state officials in Connecticut are encouraging residents to hold off on enrolling in the AHCT plan as the debate continues over those price increases. If you are able, please wait to enroll until the issue is fully resolved.

For those looking to enroll, please have the following information and documents prepared for you and anyone else in your household, even if they don't need coverage:

  • Dates of Birth
  • Social Security Numbers
  • Visa, green card, or immigration documents
  • Most recent W2 and/or Form 1040, 1099 
  • Pay-stubs, Profit & Loss Statements or other employment information
  • Current insurance coverage (policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of your household)

You can click here to view the enrollment checklist.

Access Health CT's staff remains a valuable resource to guide you through this process and to tell you what to expect during open enrollment. To get in contact, you can :

  • Visit AccessHealthCT.com and click “Get Help” for a list of places to get free, in-person help.
  • If you do not have a broker, find one on the Access Health CT website. Visit AccessHealthCT.com and click “Get Help” and “Find Certified Broker.” Brokers are free to work with, and they are trained 
    and certified to help you find a plan that works best for you and your family.
  • Call at 1-855-805-4325 - help is available in over 100 languages. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call a relay operator. Hours of Operation are Monday-Friday 8 am-4 pm (Holiday hours may vary, check website for details)
  • Live Chat available at AccessHealthCT.com
  • Visit one of their Enrollment Locations  

To learn more about the enrollment process and to find the plan that is right for you, visit Access Health CT's website.
 

Generation Power CT Energy Assistance

As a reminder, the Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses.
 
Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.

All GPCT energy programs are available to income-eligible households making up to 75% SMI gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill. 

For the best chance of approval, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant, GPCT strongly encourages households to apply for assistance when they are most in need. GPCT has three energy assistance cycles coming up, including Nov 2-10.

The other dates:

  • January 2-10
  • March 2-10 

To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, please click HERE.  
 

COVID-19 Vaccines Update

 
 

Drug Deactivation Program

This Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23-31), we honor the lives of those lost to substance abuse. Their stories remind us of the critical need for action, awareness, and prevention in our communities. Together, we can work to prevent further tragedies and protect future generations from the dangers of substance misuse.

In line with this commitment, we are excited to announce the launch of the Statewide Drug Misuse Prevention Initiative and the Drug Deactivation Pouch Program, funded through opioid settlement funds. This program aims to provide families with an easy and safe way to dispose of unused medications, a simple yet powerful step in reducing the risk of drug misuse.

Over the next five years, 50,000 drug deactivation pouches will be distributed to families across the state each year, helping to prevent accidental overdoses and keeping harmful substances out of the wrong hands. These pouches contain carbon that neutralizes medications when combined with water, rendering them safe for disposal in your household trash.

Families can request a pouch by clicking HERE, ensuring that their unused medications are disposed of responsibly.

Let us honor those we have lost by taking action today to protect others from the pain of substance misuse. Together, we can make a difference.
 

OLR Summary of 2025 Public Acts

The Public Act Summary Book contains concise summaries of all public acts we passed during the 2025 Regular Session. Please click on the image below to review.
 

Happy Halloween, Please Drive Safely

Happy Halloween! Please be safe and see the driving safety tips below.
 

 Reminder: Recycle Your Pumpkin

You can recycle your pumpkin at Sub-Edge Form in Farmington, every Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning November 1st through the 30th. Please take a look at the flyer below for more details. 
 

Change Clocks on Sunday

Don't forget to set your clock back an hour on Sunday at 2:00 a.m.!

Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative

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