Demand Skyrockets In Southington For Anti-Hunger Help: Report

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A local nonprofit dedicated to serving those suffering from food insecurity had an extremely busy 2025, with skyrocketing demand highlighting its efforts.

Southington Bread for Life released its 2025 Impact Report last week, highlighting increased demand for food assistance services and the role of volunteers in sustaining operations.

The community-supported nonprofit reported that volunteers contributed 5,656 hours in 2025, equivalent to $196,792 in value.

The report shows continued growth in service demand since 2017 across multiple programs.

Children’s summer lunches increased 6.8%, with 5,338 meals served in 2025. In-house meal demand rose 27%, totaling 14,216 meals. Homebound food deliveries climbed 20.1%, reaching 29,417 deliveries.

Bread for Life stated its mission is to “feed, provide fellowship, affirm dignity, and build connections for those experiencing food insecurity within the Southington community.”

The organization currently serves about 120 meals daily through a combination of hot lunches at its soup kitchen, group meals for low-income senior housing, deliveries to homebound residents, and bagged lunches. It also provides summer meals for children who receive free or reduced-price school lunches.

The report attributes increased demand in part to broader economic pressures and emphasizes the organization’s commitment to ensuring “no one may go hungry.”

Bread for Life’s operations have expanded significantly since its founding.

The organization opened on Sept. 10, 1984, serving 16 people three days a week at local churches.

By 1990, it had grown to a five-day program serving 10,548 meals annually.

In 2012, the nonprofit provided more than 35,000 meals, along with over 5,000 meals to homebound residents and 9,600 meals to seniors in low-income housing.

A major operational shift came in January 2017, when Bread for Life moved to its facility at 31 Vermont Ave., consolidating food storage, preparation, service, and administrative functions under one roof.

The 2025 report lists the donors and volunteers who support the organization’s programs and underscores their role in meeting rising community needs.

For Southington Bread for Life's full 2025 Impact Report, click on this link.