Government Shutdown Resources Available, Saturday is Drug Take Back Day

October 22, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

Halloween is right around the corner, and in addition to all the beautiful foliage, it's wonderful to see so many pumpkins and mums around town. I hope you're finding moments of joy like these scenes in your days.
 
I'll be co-hosting a food drive with Gifts of Love and Shop Rite on November 8th at Shop Rite in Canton. I hope that if you're shopping that day, you'll put a couple of items in your cart to help fill their shelves. They support towns throughout the greater Hartford area. I've shared previously that their requests for help are up 27% which gives you an idea that people are struggling.
 
I've included resources today from United Way Connecticut regarding the ongoing government shutdown. Also, Operation Fuel had a name change to Generation Power, and I've included information on the utility assistance they have shared.
 
Additionally, in case you missed it, Early Voting is underway! In Avon, early voting is taking place at the Town Hall, and in Canton, early voting is taking place at the Senior Center. Of course, if your preference is to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4th, you are welcome to do so, but early voting provides a great option (and removes excuses not to vote) for all.
 
Have a great week,

Eleni

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.
 

Government Shutdown Resources

All 50 states have been notified that if the federal government shutdown continues into November, funding for SNAP will not be issued for the month and perhaps beyond. Read more HERE.

Nearly 1 in 10 people in CT utilize these funds to pay for groceries. Grocery stores count on these dollars as part of their profits, and as we have already seen a 3% rise in grocery prices, not having SNAP will drive grocery prices even higher.

You don’t have to utilize SNAP benefits to be affected.

For every dollar of SNAP, $1.54 to $1.80 is generated in economic activity. That generation supports farmers, local grocery stores, and the rest of the supply chain.

Any SNAP benefits loaded onto your EBT card will be good through 10/31, but most likely, not beyond that until further guidance is received and/or the shutdown ends.

United Way of Connecticut has published a list of resources to help HERE. You can find a pantry or mobile pantry on Connecticut Foodshare's website HERE.
 

Generation Power CT Emergency Assistance

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.  
 

Early Voting is Underway 

Early voting for the November 4 municipal elections is underway now through Nov. 2.

As a reminder, in Avon, the early voting location is Avon Town Hall, 60 West Main St., and in Canton, it's the Canton Community Center, Room C, 40 Dyer Ave.
 

Saturday is Drug Take Back Day

Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day.

Avon residents can visit the Avon Police Department Visitor Parking Lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to return any needless medication so it can be disposed of safely. 

There is a permanent unwanted medications drop-off in Canton. The drug drop box, located in the lobby of the police department, 45 River Road, can be used year-round.
 

Sunday: Canton Dog Park 5th Anniversary Celebration

The Friends of Canton Dog Park will be celebrating the park's fifth anniversary on Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The Dog Fair will include games, contests, auctions, prizes, food, dog adoptions, and much more. Following the dog costume contest at noon is the TRICK contest! See below for those details.
 

On the Move: Teen Safe Driving Contest 

Create a brief standout video to promote safe driving and enter the Connecticut DMV-Travelers Teen Safe Driving Video Contest. The contest deadline is February 2026.

Click on the image below for more details.

Good luck!
 

Reminder: Q.P.C. Suicide Prevention Training

Learn how you can help save a life from suicide...
 

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. 

Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative

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