BLOOMFIELD, Conn. – This year’s Connecticut Golf Classic, The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation’s (HBF) signature event held at The Hartford Golf Club, has raised $250,000 to support the charitable work of food pantries in Hartford, New Haven and Litchfield counties. Proceeds allowed HBF to award $120,000 in immediate grant funding to 13 food pantries (see table), with the remainder establishing a permanent endowment at the foundation to provide annual grant distributions to social ministries across the Archdiocese.

According to Feeding America, about 465,000 Connecticut residents (1 in 8) struggle with hunger and more than 112,000 children (1 in 6) experience food insecurity. This year’s beneficiaries align with one of Archbishop Christopher Coyne’s key social ministry priorities - addressing these issues in communities most in need. Funds will be used for food pantry infrastructure and equipment improvements.

“We are grateful to our sponsors, donors and individuals who helped make this important fund-raising event so successful,” said HBF General Chair John "Jamie" Kalamarides. “It was amazing to see the generosity of our supporters, who stepped up to help meet our goal of enhancing the capacity and reach of food pantries in the Archdiocese.”

Since its inception, the Connecticut Golf Classic has delivered more than $1 million to local schools, charities and food banks across the Archdiocese of Hartford, which serves 97 parishes and 34 Catholic schools and includes more than 600,000 Catholics.

HBF Executive Director and Executive Director of Development for the Archdiocese of Hartford Karen Gross explained the grants are not meant to provide one-time operational support, but instead to invest in building capacity to deliver or expand services in a more efficient and sustainable way.

“Our 13 grant recipient organizations assist nearly 65,000 households throughout the Archdiocese,” Gross added, “and this long-term approach ensures food banks can serve more people more effectively, provide a safe and comfortable working environment for staff and volunteers and keep up with growing demand.”