June
2018
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Are You Prepared for Hurricane Season?
A Message from Richard Porth         
President/CEO of United Way of Connecticut 

June 1st marked the official start of hurricane season. The storm threat to Connecticut peaks in mid-August making now the ideal time to update (or create) an emergency storm plan for your family.
 
What simple steps can you take today?
United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 is a gateway to services related to emergency/disaster response and recovery as well as a statewide resource for emergency-related information collection and dissemination. In the event of a storm emergency, visit www.211ct.org or dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in the state for up-to-date information about emergency shelters and storm relief resources in your community.

2-1-1 also maintains several eLibrary papers that can help you get prepared and stay informed including: How to Prepare and Safely Weather a Hurricane/Tornado, and How to Prepare and Safely Weather a Flood

 Medical Appointment Transportation

The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that 3.6 million Americans miss or delay medical care because they lack appropriate transportation.  2-1-1's database of health and human services includes nearly 170 resources related to non-emergency medical transportation.  If you or someone you know is in need of non-emergency transportation to a medical appointment, Connecticut 2-1-1 can connect you with the help you need.

Call 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org and search Medical Appointments Transportation to learn more about transportation resources in your community. 

Last year, 2-1-1 Contact Specialists received nearly 1,800 service requests for medical appointment transportation assistance.  Interested in learning more about the most common transportation service  requests? Click HERE to download the 2-1-1 Transportation Barometer.

Free Summer Meals For Kids 18 and Under Across Connecticut  
 
Only 1 in 5 Connecticut kids & teens who rely on free or reduced-price school meals during the school year get the nutrition they need during summer. Summer Meals provides free, nutritious, meals and snacks to kids and teens, 18 years of age and younger, throughout the summer at various locations across the state.

Summer Meals are an extension of the National School Lunch Program.  The program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and many sites are operated at schools, playgrounds, parks and libraries. While meals may vary from site to site, all Summer Meals meet federal nutrition guidelines.
 
For more information and to find Summer Meal sites near you:
Farmers Markets

Farmers' Markets

 

There are more than 100 farmers' markets offering fresh, local products throughout Connecticut. In addition to access to quality and healthy foods, these markets are also a community gathering place for everyone to enjoy.  Visit the Connecticut Department of Agriculture for more information on farmers' markets across the state or click HERE for a complete, town by town list of farmers' markets.
 
Many farmers' markets are also affiliated with the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) and/or the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition program. These programs provide eligible WIC clients and seniors access to fresh fruits and vegetables. 

For more information check out 2-1-1's WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and Senior Famers' Market Nutrition Program eLibrary papers.