Greetings Faithful Members of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut,
Tomorrow, November 1, unless there is action by our elected officials in the federal government, millions of people around our country, and approximately 360,000 people here in Connecticut, will lose access to critical food assistance benefits, referred to as SNAP.
As I said in my address to you at Convention, as the support networks and safety nets of our civil common life seem to crumble and fail, we as faithful followers of Jesus Christ, must respond. The food pantries and feeding programs located in congregations across the Diocese are preparing for a spike in need while already overwhelmed by the need they have been seeing and working faithfully to meet.
I am grateful to the Deacons of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut who have been raising awareness and sharing resources that the hungry among us might be fed.
If you find yourself in need of food assistance, please contact your local Episcopal Church, Connecticut Foodshare, or call 211. If you are wondering how to help in this moment, you can give financially to your local Food Ministry or to Connecticut Foodshare; you can donate food to your local food pantry and you can volunteer. I have included links in the comments below to connect you to these ministries.
And you can pray. Pray that the hungry will be fed, and pray that our elected leaders will find a way forward without harming the most vulnerable among us in their negotiations.
In Matthew 25, the question is asked, “Lord, when did we see you hungry…and not minister to you?” In this time, may God give us the will and the courage to see the hungry among us today, and to respond in faith.
God Bless You, and Thank You,
The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello
Bishop Diocesan