DSS Emergency Assistance Program for non-FoodShare Pantries in CT

DSS Emergency Assistance Program for non-FoodShare Pantries in CT is sponsored by United Way of Connecticut. United Way of Connecticut, in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), offers funding to food pantries not part of the Connecticut Foodshare Agency Network to provide food to the general public.

Funding Opportunity for Non-Foodshare Pantries - United Way Of Connecticut Funding opportunity for non-foodshare pantries DSS Emergency Assistance Program for non-FoodShare Pantries in CT United Way of Connecticut (UWCT) is partnering with Connecticut’s Department of Social Services (DSS) on a new, exciting opportunity for food pantries that are not members of the Connecticut Foodshare Agency Network.

Organizations in Connecticut that meet this definition should review eligibility and requirements below. If they meet the criteria, they may apply for funding to provide food to the general public in the communities they serve using our online application ( https://ctunitedway. submittable.

com/submit ). 1. Operate and be located in Connecticut.

2. Not be associated with the Connecticut Foodshare Agency Network. 3.

Be a 501(c)(3) organization in good standing or a municipality that operates a food pantry. 4. Have provided food for human consumption to the general public at no charge for at least twelve (12) months prior to submission.

5. Provide documentation of the food pantry’s annual food purchase costs for their most recent fiscal year. 6.

Be listed in 211 Connecticut ( 211ct. org ) or agree to create a 211 listing within 30 days of the award. Please gather these required documents before starting your application.

Non-profit Organizations: 1. A certificate of legal existence from the Connecticut Secretary of State 2. A copy of your IRS exemption letter.

3. Upload a completed and signed W9. A blank form is available here: https://www.

irs. gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9. pdf 1.

Municipal authorization documentation, such as a letter from the mayor, first selectman, town manager, municipal department head or finance director confirming the pantry is municipally operated or authorized to apply. 1. Upload substantiation of their expenditure on food purchases from their most recent fiscal year.

(Examples: General ledger report showing food purchases; accounting system expense report; vendor statements; invoices; receipts; check register or payment report; credit card statements tied to food purchases.) 2. Provide their budgeted amount for food expenditures for the current fiscal year.

3. Be prepared to show proof of operation as a food pantry in Connecticut. (However, this proof is required at the time of application.)

Applicants may apply for up to 25% of their annual food purchase cost (excluding donations) from the most recent fiscal year or $50,000 – whichever is less. (Example: If your food pantry’s annual food purchase cost (excluding donations) is $50,000, 25% of that is $12,500. Therefore, you may apply for any amount up to and including $12,500.)

2. Complete the Eligibility Form. 3.

If eligible, you will be directed to complete the Application Form, upload required documents and agree to the conditions of the award. 4. UWCT will review submitted applications and award applicants on a rolling basis with a quick turn-around time.

5. All documents, including award letters, will be sent through Submittable, so make sure Submittable is a trusted account in your email and check your spam folder often. 6.

Grants will be issued as soon as individual applications are complete, fully reviewed and processed. 7. Funds will be disbursed quarterly, and reporting will be required after each allocation of funds is spent.

May 20 – November 30, 2026 Applications accepted on a rolling basis All funds must be obligated Any unspent funds returned to UWCT Please review our FAQ ( https://www. ctunitedway. org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/F.

A. Qs_Food-Pantry-Grants-1. pdf) .

For additional questions, please email us at FoodPantry@ctunitedway. org Having trouble with your password or uploading a form? Check out the Submitter Resource Center (https://submittable.

help/en/collections/185534-submitters ) or contact Submittable Customer Support ( https://www. submittable. com/help/submitter/ ).

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You do not need to complete the application all at once. There is an autosave feature, but you can also manually save your draft by clicking the button at the bottom of the form. To return to a saved draft, follow these instructions: https://submittable.

help/en/articles/904868-how-can-i-return-to-a-saved-draft . If you need to, you can delete a saved draft and restart the application. We will contact you about your submission by email.

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