CT Golfers Invited to Tee Up for Families Facing Food Insecurity

Recent slices in social programs have forced more Connecticut families to face food insecurity. Local golfers can drive for their neighbors in need at the annual Gifts of Love charity tournament held on Monday, May 22, 2023 at the Golf Club of Avon in Avon, Conn.

“The negative effects of food stamp cutbacks are compounded by high inflation,” explains Lisa Gray, Executive Director of Gifts of Love. “Our services are filling the void but donations and fundraisers such as the golf tournament are critical for our mission.”

Gray points to the end of the extra COVID SNAP benefits in February of this year that many families rely upon. Participants no longer receive the additional $95 a month minimum to cover the skyrocketing cost of food. Gifts of Love provides access to wholesome food and necessities, including the Weekend Food Backpack program that ensures students do not go hungry when school lunches are unavailable.

“An additional barrier for residents is the shocking fact that 24 towns in our state do not accept food stamps at all,” said Gray. “We fill that void by servicing 41 Connecticut towns.”

The competition is one of Gifts of Love largest fundraisers. Proceeds support GOL food and nutrition pantries, clothes closets, and linen and household goods rooms in their Avon and Hartford locations.

Registration is open at www.birdease.com/giftsoflove. The cost is $275 for an individual golfer and $1000 for a foursome. For non-golfers who still want to participate, dinner including open bar is $75. Deadline for registration is Saturday, May 13, 2023. Various sponsorship opportunities at all levels are still available for businesses and organizations. Most sponsorships include the opportunity to play the course. Contact info@giftsoflovect.org or call 860-676-2323 for more information.

The tournament will be a special day of 18 holes with cart, complete with coffee, lunch, access to the Hooker Brewery Draft Beer Truck and the Litchfield Distillery Sampling Table and plenty of fun. Following the tournament, there will be an awards ceremony and dinner at the clubhouse where participants will have the opportunity to network and celebrate the day's success. The event will also feature a teacup auction and live auction, with all proceeds benefiting Gifts of Love.

The day begins with a shotgun start at 12:00 with registration beginning at 10:30 a.m. In addition to the tournament, there will be various on-course contests and activities, including a putting contest, a longest drive contest, and a closest to the pin challenge. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each contest.

Gifts of Love responds to the needs of working individuals and their families who have been impacted by financial crisis. The non-profit provides food, clothing, household necessities and self-sufficiency consultation. Most importantly, Gifts of Love provides a sense of hope to those in search of a better future. For over three decades, the organization has provided short-term programs and education that help working families attain financial independence.

About Gifts of Love
Based in Avon, with an additional location in Harford, Gifts of Love helps meet the basic needs of individuals and families in the Greater Hartford area experiencing short-term financial crises so they can return to self-sufficiency. For more information visit https://giftsoflovect.org/.

PHOTO:  A young volunteer at Gifts of Love participates in the non-profit’s organization’s popular Weekend Backpack Program which provides wholesome food and necessities to ensure that students do not go hungry when school lunches are unavailable.

Photo Credit: Gifts of Love

H
Submitted by Hartford, CT

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next