Combatting Hunger and Homelessness in Connecticut

The COVID crisis has had a profound impact on all our lives, but children from lower income families have been especially hard hit. In fact, our partners at Open Doors—a shelter for vulnerable families in Connecticut—reports that need for meal assistance has tripled since March, when lockdown orders began in the United States.

Open Doors staff preparing a meal

In May, PaperSeed’s Board Chair, Joe Hoffman, walked a marathon in May to raise funds for COVID relief. Joe raised an impressive $50,000 for the cause, $5,000 of which went to Open Doors to support their meal program. Those funds helped keep kids fed throughout the summer, providing 1,600 bags of groceries to families who needed them most.

Shaina Meyer’s, Open Door’s Development Coordinator, recently wrote to us, “2020 will certainly be remembered for the impact of the global pandemic and the struggles it continues to cause. We continue to serve hot meals to our neighbors in need and help hundreds of low-income children and families with our grocery pantry as the COVID-19 crisis continues to negatively impact lives.