Anti-hunger conference welcomes guests

HARTFORD — The three leading anti-hunger organizations in Connecticut are presenting “Hungry for Change: Let’s Put Hunger on the Agenda.” The conference is Thursday, Sept. 20, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Chrysalis Conference and Training Center in Hartford.

The keynote speaker is Hugh B. Price, long-time civil rights leader, activist and public intellectual. Price was president of the National Urban League from 1994 to 2003. The conference will also include a forum with Gubernatorial candidates, who will each address the audience and answer questions.

Hungry for Change is sponsored by Bank of America. Conference attendance is free of charge. Reservations are required. Make reservations at http://bit.ly/H4CConference.

The Connecticut Food Bank, End Hunger Connecticut! and Foodshare have planned this conference as an opportunity for people in hunger relief, human services, and government to network, discuss the current state of hunger, and share ideas about collaborative action. “This conference is for anyone interested in working together on a solution to hunger,” said Connecticut Food Bank CEO Bernie Beaudreau.

The conference, now in its second year, grew from collaborations between the three anti-hunger organizations.

“We each have different services and geographies,” said Shannon Yearwood, Executive Director of End Hunger Connecticut!. “But we have one focus, and that is making sure people in Connecticut have access to nutritious food.”

The planners hope to engage attendees and inspire action, said Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of Foodshare. “It will take more than distributing food to solve hunger,” Jakubowski said. “We need informed and motivated individuals and organizations advocating for effective solutions.”

Bank of America is sponsoring the event for a second year. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with organizations that are connecting communities and nonprofit providers across Connecticut to address food insecurity.” said Bill Tommins, Southern Connecticut market president, Bank of America. “Together, we have the power to fight hunger and in turn, help advance long-term community sustainability.”

“Hungry for Change: Let’s Put Hunger on the Agenda” will take place Thursday, September 20, at the Chrysalis Training and Conference Center, at 255 Homestead Avenue in Hartford. Registration is free of charge. Reservations must be made in advance at http://bit.ly/ H4CConference. Admission is free. Breakfast will be provided. The conference is sponsored by Bank of America.

Hungry For Change is project of the Connecticut Food Bank, End Hunger Connecticut!, and Foodshare, along with membership of their networks and allies in organizations devoted to human service and community development. an event of this import will be (standing room only), said John Sullivan, co-founding director of development of CAFTA.

Owen Quinn, Executive Director of United Way of Northwest Connecticut, has been asked to reprise his role as moderator for this event. For further information contact Teresa G Sullivan, direcotr, or John H Sullivan at cafta.info or call 860201-5706.