State Sen. Tony Hwang (opinion): It’s up to all of us to address the hunger crisis

“This is a hunger crisis.”

Talk to any food pantry director in towns across Connecticut, and that’s what you’ll hear.

A recent Primerica survey revealed that 75 percent of middle-class households say their income is falling behind the cost of living. Evictions are becoming more and more frequent. From our grocery and electric bills to our health insurance rates to our fill-ups at the gas station, inflation continues eating away at our household budgets.

Of course, we most pointedly see inflation’s impact on the most basic of needs: food items. This has brought about heightened food insecurity to a broader part of our community. An increasing number of Connecticut families cannot afford groceries. They are quietly and reluctantly turning to local food pantries to help them get through these difficult times.

This is our unfortunate reality, so what can we do about it?

At the Connecticut State Capitol, Senate Republicans and I are offering significant, wide-ranging and immediate tax relief to ease the financial strain. Check out our plan at AffordableConnecticut.com. We are proposing income tax and sales tax relief. We want to eliminate the meals tax and expand the gas tax holiday to diesel. We are also calling for the repeal of the impending truck tax, which will raise the cost of groceries even further, not to mention everything that arrives in Connecticut via trucks. Call your state lawmakers to urge them to pass this plan.

Friday, Sept. 2 is National Food Bank Day: A day where we are all encouraged to visit, volunteer and contribute to our community food pantries. Visit www.211ct.org to get information about your local food pantry.

Tennis anyone? You can serve up a lot of support for people in need at the upcoming Connecticut Foodshare Governor’s Open. This fun event will be held Sept. 10 and 11 at The Copper Valley Tennis & Social Club of Cheshire. The $30 per person entry fee includes a souvenir T-shirt, tennis balls and water. All of the net proceeds will benefit the Connecticut Foodshare. On the web: www.ctfoodshare.org.

We often think of and donate to our food pantries during Thanksgiving and the holiday season. That is wonderful, but help is needed right now. People of all ages can help raise awareness of this pressing need for donations and volunteers. Food drives can be held throughout our cities and towns, from our neighborhood schools and places of worship to our small businesses and local clubs and organizations.

Connecticut food pantry directors are ringing alarm bells. They need us right now. We can take simple steps today to let them know that we hear them. Donate and support local food pantries.

State Sen. Tony Hwang represents the 28th Senate District, representing Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport.