Connecticut Foodshare focuses almost exclusively on hunger relief across Connecticut, combining very large in-kind/commodity distributions with targeted capital and program support to local food banks, pantries, meal programs and emergency shelters. Grants prioritize increasing client choice and nutritious food access by funding cold storage, pantry remodels, mobile pantry/outreach vehicles, kitchen upgrades and summer meal programming, often through faith-based and community-run providers.
Connecticut Foodshare Inc centered its recent grantmaking on one operational theme: helping Connecticut food programs shift to client choice and improve access to nutritious food. The largest grant in the file was a 2025 non-cash award of $99,743,894 to 631 agencies for implementation of client choice and broader food access, showing a statewide model that reaches many local partners at once. That same purpose also appears in the 2024 and 2023 records, where the foundation gave $90,543,039 and $75,231,402 for the same aim through various organizations in fulfillment of its exempt purpose. Alongside those statewide distributions, the foundation funded local infrastructure that makes food service work in practice, including a 2024 award to Daily Bread Food Pantry in Danbury for upgrades to a new full-choice facility and a 2024 grant to Cathedral of Saint Joseph Food Pantry in Hartford for expanded commercial cold storage and upgrades. The pattern points to a funder that combines systemwide food distribution with capital support for pantries, kitchens, and mobile outreach sites across Connecticut.
A major line of support goes to pantry infrastructure. In 2024, Connecticut Foodshare Inc gave $67,200 to Andover Congregational Church Food Pantry for a pantry remodel, cold storage, and signage, and $59,000 to Cathedral of Saint Joseph Food Pantry for expanded commercial cold storage and upgrades. Those awards fit a broader emphasis on refrigeration, layout, and food-safety capacity. They also fund mobile food access. Access Community Action Agency received $141,000 in 2023 for a mobile food pantry, Hillside Food Outreach got $54,000 for its mobile food pantry in Fairfield County, and United Way of Southeastern Connecticut received $45,000 for the Gemma Moran mobile food pantry. Meal programs and shelter food service are another thread. Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen received $114,000 in 2023 for its soup kitchen and drop-in resource center, while Bridgeport Rescue Mission received $40,000 in 2024 for a community kitchen renovation for mobile food truck outreach.
Connecticut Foodshare Inc’s typical grant size is modest relative to its statewide commodity distributions: the file shows a p25 of $8,500, a median of $13,600, and a p75 of $28,000. The grant list also shows a two-track pattern: very large non-cash awards for client-choice implementation, plus smaller capital and program grants to local agencies. Recipients appear across multiple years, with the same statewide purpose recorded in 2023, 2024, and 2025. It is a public charity and a regular funder, and the data does not show an application process in the grant records provided.
$99.9M
$55.2M
$128.7M
$131.7M
Most grants fall between $9K and $28K, with a median of $14K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$14K
75th Percentile
$28K
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Giving is dominated by two very large programmatic/non-cash distribution line items that supply food to hundreds of agencies, supplemented by numerous modest-to-mid-sized unrestricted or capital grants to local pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and regional networks; mix of one-off capital awards and repeated support to some local partners.
Notable grantees: Access Community Action Agency, Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, End Hunger CT, University of Connecticut (Husky Harvest)
Giving is entirely in Connecticut, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Recent recipients are spread across the state, including Willimantic, Hartford, New Haven, Danbury, Waterbury, Bridgeport, Norwich, and West Haven. The distribution shows activity in both larger cities and smaller communities, with repeated support to food pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile outreach programs in places such as Hartford, Danbury, and Bridgeport.
The dominant pattern is support for client choice and access to nutritious food, including statewide non-cash grants and local investments in pantries, cold storage, mobile food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelter meal programs. The largest recorded awards in 2023 through 2025 all served the same client-choice and nutrition-access purpose.
The grant-size profile shows a p25 of $8,500, a median of $13,600, and a p75 of $28,000. The file also includes much larger statewide non-cash distributions, including a 2025 award of $99,743,894.
Its grants are entirely local to Connecticut. The recipient distribution is 100% in the US, and the top state by grant count is CT. Recent recipient cities include Willimantic, Hartford, New Haven, Danbury, Waterbury, Bridgeport, Norwich, and West Haven.
Both. The record shows repeated statewide support for client choice across 2023, 2024, and 2025, alongside one-time capital projects such as a pantry remodel, cold storage upgrades, a shelter cargo van, and a community kitchen renovation.
It supports pantry operations, mobile food pantries, soup kitchens, community dining rooms, emergency shelter meal service, and summer meals. Named recent grantees include Access Community Action Agency, Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen Inc, Community Dining Room Inc, End Hunger Ct, and Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NON-CASH GRANTS - 631 AGENCIES - DETAIL AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST | — | $99,743,894 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF CLIENT CHOICE AND INCREASE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD |
| THE OPEN HEARTH ASSOCIATION | HARTFORD, CT | $14,700 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY - NEW COVENANT CENTER | STAMFORD, CT | $14,000 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| SEYMOUR OXFORD FOOD BANK INC | SEYMOUR, CT | $14,000 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | NEW BRITAIN, CT | $13,700 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| HORACE BUSHNELL CHILDRENS FOOD PANTRY | HARTFORD, CT | $10,500 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| FRIENDLY HANDS FOOD BANK | TORRINGTON, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| COVENANT SOUP KITCHEN | WILLIMANTIC, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| IGLESIA FUENTE DE SALVACION MISIONERA | VERNON ROCKVILLE, CT | $9,300 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL PLACE | NORWICH, CT | $8,000 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY -NORWALK CORPS | NORWALK, CT | $7,400 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| STERLING HOUSE COMMUNITY CENTER INC | STRATFORD, CT | $7,200 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| CHRYSALIS CENTER INC | HARTFORD, CT | $7,000 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| INTERFAITH HUMAN SERVICES OF PUTNAM | PUTNAM, CT | $6,200 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $6,100 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY MERIDEN | MERIDEN, CT | $5,500 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL PLACE | NORWICH, CT | $5,300 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| GIFTS OF LOVE INC | AVON, CT | $5,200 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT |
| TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN FULFILLMENT OF ITS EXEMPT PURPOSE | — | $90,543,039 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF CLIENT CHOICE AND INCREASE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD\ |
| ANDOVER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FOOD PANTRY | ANDOVER, CT | $67,200 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY REMODEL, COLD STORAGE & SIGNAGE |
| CATHEDRAL OF SAINT JOSEPH FOOD PANTRY | HARTFORD, CT | $59,000 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY EXPANDED COMMERCIAL COLD STORAGE & UPGRADES |
| DAILY BREAD FOOD PANTRY | DANBURY, CT | $50,000 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY UPRADES FOR NEW FULL-CHOICE FACILITY |
| SOUTH PARK INN | HARTFORD, CT | $44,500 | 2024 | EMERGENCY SHELTER CARGO VAN |
| END HUNGER CT | GALES FERRY, CT | $42,500 | 2024 | SUMMER MEALS PROGRAM |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL PLACE NORWICH INC | NORWICH, CT | $41,000 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY CONSTRUCTION TO ENCLOSE LOADING DOCK |
| BRIDGEPORT RESCUE MISSION | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $40,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY KITCHEN RENOVATION FOR MOBILE FOOD TRUCK OUTREACH |
| WHEAT INC | WEST HAVEN, CT | $35,500 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY WALK-IN COOLER |
| SDA BRIDGEPORT TABERNACLE | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $35,000 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY SUPER-MARKET STYLE TRANSFORMATION |
| FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EAST WINDSOR | EAST WINDSOR, CT | $34,500 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY COLD STORAGE & EQUIPMENT |
| GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH | HARTFORD, CT | $32,000 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY REMODEL & UPGRADES |
| COMMUNITY OUTREACH CENTER | NORWICH, CT | $27,400 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY REMODEL & COMMERCIAL COLD STORAGE |
| NEW REACH INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $27,000 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY COLD STORAGE, SHELVING & BUILDING UPGRADES |
| ST JAMES CHURCH | NEW LONDON, CT | $21,000 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY COLD STORAGE |
| PLEASANT VALLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | PLEASANT VALLEY, CT | $21,000 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY LIGHTING, SHELVING & COLD STORAGE |
| ACCESS COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY | KILLINGLY, CT | $20,500 | 2024 | EMERGENCY SHELTER COLD STORAGE & KITCHEN UPGRADES |
| NEW LONDON COMMUNITY MEAL CENTER | NEW LONDON, CT | $20,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY KITCHEN MINI-VAN |
| CANTERBURY CARES FOOD BANK | CANTERBURY, CT | $20,000 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY ENTRANCE REMODEL FOR ACCESSIBILITY |
| NOURISH BRIDGEPORT INC | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $20,000 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY ADA ACCESS RAMP |
| ASSOCIATION OF RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES | DANBURY, CT | $19,900 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY REMODEL, COLD STORAGE & EQUIPMENT |
| HOCKANUM VALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL | VERNON, CT | $19,600 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY PALLET RACKING & EQUIPMENT UPGRADES |
| ENFIELD FOOD SHELF INC | ENFIELD, CT | $18,700 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY SIGNAGE, EQUIPMENT & UPGRADES |
| MONROE FOOD PANTRY - TOWN OF MONROE | MONROE, CT | $17,300 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY REMODEL |
| TOWN OF SPRAGUE | BALTIC, CT | $16,300 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY EXPANSION |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL MIDDLETOWN | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $15,800 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY CONSTRUCTION TO ENCLOSE LOADING DOCK |
| KLINGBERG FAMILY CENTERS | NEW BRITIAN, CT | $15,000 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY REMODEL & UPGRADES |
| GLORY CHAPEL INTERNATIONAL CATHEDRAL | HARTFORD, CT | $14,600 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY SUPER-MARKET STYLE TRANSFORMATION |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL MISSION OF BRISTOL INC | BRISTOL, CT | $14,000 | 2024 | EMERGENCY SHELTER KITCHEN UPGRADES |
| CT STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE HOUSATONIC | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $14,000 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY FREEZER & SHELVING |
| MASTERS MANNA | WALLINGFORD, CT | $12,500 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY COLD STORAGE, SHELVING & FOOD GUARD |
| COMMUNITY SERVICES COUNCIL OF WOODBURY INC | WOODBURY, CT | $12,200 | 2024 | FOOD PANTRY COLD STORAGE & UPGRADES |
NON-CASH GRANTS - 631 AGENCIES - DETAIL AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
$99,743,894TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF CLIENT CHOICE AND INCREASE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD
THE OPEN HEARTH ASSOCIATION
$14,7002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
SEYMOUR OXFORD FOOD BANK INC
$14,0002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
THE SALVATION ARMY
$13,7002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
HORACE BUSHNELL CHILDRENS FOOD PANTRY
$10,5002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
FRIENDLY HANDS FOOD BANK
$10,0002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
COVENANT SOUP KITCHEN
$10,0002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
IGLESIA FUENTE DE SALVACION MISIONERA
$9,3002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
ST VINCENT DE PAUL PLACE
$8,0002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
THE SALVATION ARMY -NORWALK CORPS
$7,4002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
STERLING HOUSE COMMUNITY CENTER INC
$7,2002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
INTERFAITH HUMAN SERVICES OF PUTNAM
$6,2002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH
$6,1002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
THE SALVATION ARMY MERIDEN
$5,5002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
ST VINCENT DE PAUL PLACE
$5,3002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
GIFTS OF LOVE INC
$5,2002025 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN FULFILLMENT OF ITS EXEMPT PURPOSE
$90,543,039TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF CLIENT CHOICE AND INCREASE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD\
ANDOVER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FOOD PANTRY
$67,200FOOD PANTRY REMODEL, COLD STORAGE & SIGNAGE
CATHEDRAL OF SAINT JOSEPH FOOD PANTRY
$59,000FOOD PANTRY EXPANDED COMMERCIAL COLD STORAGE & UPGRADES
DAILY BREAD FOOD PANTRY
$50,000FOOD PANTRY UPRADES FOR NEW FULL-CHOICE FACILITY
SOUTH PARK INN
$44,500EMERGENCY SHELTER CARGO VAN
END HUNGER CT
$42,500SUMMER MEALS PROGRAM
ST VINCENT DE PAUL PLACE NORWICH INC
$41,000FOOD PANTRY CONSTRUCTION TO ENCLOSE LOADING DOCK
COMMUNITY KITCHEN RENOVATION FOR MOBILE FOOD TRUCK OUTREACH
WHEAT INC
$35,500FOOD PANTRY WALK-IN COOLER
SDA BRIDGEPORT TABERNACLE
$35,000FOOD PANTRY SUPER-MARKET STYLE TRANSFORMATION
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EAST WINDSOR
$34,500FOOD PANTRY COLD STORAGE & EQUIPMENT
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$32,000FOOD PANTRY REMODEL & UPGRADES
COMMUNITY OUTREACH CENTER
$27,400FOOD PANTRY REMODEL & COMMERCIAL COLD STORAGE
ST JAMES CHURCH
$21,000FOOD PANTRY COLD STORAGE
PLEASANT VALLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$21,000FOOD PANTRY LIGHTING, SHELVING & COLD STORAGE
ACCESS COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY
$20,500EMERGENCY SHELTER COLD STORAGE & KITCHEN UPGRADES
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY MEAL CENTER
$20,000COMMUNITY KITCHEN MINI-VAN
CANTERBURY CARES FOOD BANK
$20,000FOOD PANTRY ENTRANCE REMODEL FOR ACCESSIBILITY
ASSOCIATION OF RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES
$19,900FOOD PANTRY REMODEL, COLD STORAGE & EQUIPMENT
FOOD PANTRY PALLET RACKING & EQUIPMENT UPGRADES
ENFIELD FOOD SHELF INC
$18,700FOOD PANTRY SIGNAGE, EQUIPMENT & UPGRADES
MONROE FOOD PANTRY - TOWN OF MONROE
$17,300FOOD PANTRY REMODEL
TOWN OF SPRAGUE
$16,300FOOD PANTRY EXPANSION
ST VINCENT DE PAUL MIDDLETOWN
$15,800FOOD PANTRY CONSTRUCTION TO ENCLOSE LOADING DOCK
KLINGBERG FAMILY CENTERS
$15,000FOOD PANTRY REMODEL & UPGRADES
GLORY CHAPEL INTERNATIONAL CATHEDRAL
$14,600FOOD PANTRY SUPER-MARKET STYLE TRANSFORMATION
ST VINCENT DE PAUL MISSION OF BRISTOL INC
$14,000EMERGENCY SHELTER KITCHEN UPGRADES
MASTERS MANNA
$12,500FOOD PANTRY COLD STORAGE, SHELVING & FOOD GUARD
COMMUNITY SERVICES COUNCIL OF WOODBURY INC
$12,200FOOD PANTRY COLD STORAGE & UPGRADES