Union Love on the Ground: DC 11 Food Drives in CT & RI
PICLAS Instructors and apprentices donating a car full of food to House of Hope in Cranston, RI.
This past November and December, members of District Council 11 showed what union solidarity truly looks like, in our communities.
Collectively, we showed some love by delivering:
🛍️ 250 pounds of food to Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Middletown, CT
🚚 Two full drop‑offs to House of Hope CDC in Cranston, RI
The response from members was overwhelming. Bags, boxes, and crates filled up quickly, proof that when neighbors are hurting, this union doesn’t look away.
Why this matters
These donations weren’t just generous, they were necessary.
In late 2025, turmoil in federal funding left millions of people scrambling for their next meal. When Congress failed to pass a full budget on time, the resulting federal government shutdown interfered with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, a core food support system relied on by low‑income families nationwide. Late October 2025 saw SNAP payments delayed and reduced, leaving families waiting and food pantries bracing for a surge in need.
As advocates and analysts noted, this kind of disruption doesn’t just inconvenience recipients, it pushes people closer to hunger and hardship, especially families already stretched thin. Millions of households depend on SNAP for basic groceries each month.
SNAP Cuts Hit Even Harder
On top of the shutdown, federal policy changes enacted in 2025 expanded harsh work requirements and eligibility restrictions that are already cutting benefits for many households, especially older adults, veterans, caregivers, and people experiencing homelessness. These policy shifts mean more people face red tape, reduced access, or total benefit loss at the exact same moment their neighbors are struggling to feed their families.
In other words: as the safety net shrank, the need grew.
That’s where community action stepped in.
DC 11 Members Delivered
While some lawmakers debated and deferred responsibility, our members took action:
Amazing Grace Food Pantry (Middletown, CT) received 250 pounds of food to restock shelves during the holiday season and beyond.
House of Hope CDC (Cranston, RI) received two large donations, each filled with pantry staples, canned goods, and household items.
These organizations serve families, seniors, and neighbors facing food insecurity every week. In a time when government supports were delayed or cut, your donations made an immediate difference.
Union Strength Is Community Care
To every member who donated, organized, and transported food:
Thank you. This was a statement of values and the strength of our family.
A reminder that while federal policy may fail working families, our union does not.
Your actions said loud and clear that:
No family should go hungry because a political process stalled.
No one should choose between rent and groceries.
No neighbor is alone in this union.
Looking Ahead
Food insecurity didn’t start with the SNAP disruptions, and it won’t end with one drive. But every time DC 11 members step forward to help, we make a real impact in real people’s lives.
📌 Interested in future drives or community partnerships?
Reach out to Communications Director at jessek@iupatdc11.com
