Proceeds to Fund Equipment, Infrastructure Improvements
October 9, 2024 | BLOOMFIELD, Conn. – This year’s Connecticut Golf Classic, The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation’s (HBF) signature event, 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.”
| Organization/County | Grant/Purpose |
| St. Clare Food Pantry (Hartford)
|
$3,000 for carts, hand trucks and traffic cones |
| St. Joseph Food Pantry (Hartford)
|
$6,000 for an additional freezer |
| St. Mary’s Food Pantry (Hartford)
|
$7,500 for computers and a commercial refrigerator and freezer |
| Maria Reina de la Paz Food Pantry (Hartford)
|
$7,500 for computers and 2 refrigerators |
| Malta Pantry at St. Justin – St. Michael Parish (Hartford)
|
$10,000 to update pantry facilities |
| St. Vincent de Paul Mission of Waterbury (New Haven)
|
$20,000 for a delivery vehicle to help with food deliveries |
| St. Ann’s Food Pantry (New Haven)
|
$4,000 for an upright defrosting freezer |
| St. Vincent de Paul of the Valley (New Haven)
|
$6,000 to repair a large freezer |
| Our Lady Queen of Angels Food Pantry (New Haven)
|
$6,000 for a new freezer |
| St. Gabriel Food Pantry (New Haven)
|
$7,500 for computers and a new freezer |
| Cathedral Food Pantry (Hartford)
|
$20,000 to replace flooring in the food pantry delivery area |
| St. Augustine’s Church Food Pantry (Hartford)
|
$3,000 for new hand trucks |
| Joan C. Dauber Food Pantry at St. Francis Hospital (Hartford) | $20,000 for facility renovation |
Photo Captions (please credit The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation):
- HBF Image #1 – HBF General Chair John “Jamie” Kalamarides (left) with HBF Executive Director and Executive Director of Development for the Archdiocese of Hartford Karen Gross and Archbishop Christopher Coyne
- HBF Image #2 – 2024 Connecticut Golf Classic sponsor list
- HBF Image #3 – Archbishop Christopher Coyne (center) with grant recipients representing food pantries in New Haven and Hartford counties
- HBF Image #4 – Tee-off from first tee at Hartford Golf Club
- HBF Image #5 – Approach shot at Hartford Golf Club
- HBF Image #6 – Golfer putts at Hartford Golf Club
About The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation
Founded in 2016, The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation, Inc. (HBF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Catholic community foundation led by its Board of Directors and dedicated to fostering generosity in the Archdiocese of Hartford. HBF’s vision is to become a trusted partner to donors, helping to identify charitable opportunities that align with their values, and to social service ministries and Catholic parishes and schools by offering assistance and resources that go beyond financial support. Learn more at: https://www.hartfordbishopsfoundation.org/