We were honored to welcome State Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw to our Avon office for a thoughtful conversation about food insecurity and the impact of our Weekend Backpack Program.

During her visit, Representative Kavros DeGraw met with Executive Director Laura Marchese and Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Nancy Carlson, who oversees the Weekend Backpack Program. Together, they discussed the growing needs in our community and how this program provides children with nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals to carry them through the weekend when school meals aren’t available.

One of the biggest challenges we face today is the rising cost of food. Items that were once free to nonprofits through donations are no longer available at no cost, and the expense of operating the Weekend Backpack Program has grown significantly. For example, jelly—a staple of the backpacks—once cost about $100 for 375 jars, enough for a week’s worth of backpacks. Today, that same order costs nearly $1,000. These sharp increases put added pressure on our resources at a time when more families than ever are relying on our programs.

The conversation with Representative Kavros DeGraw highlighted the importance of partnerships between nonprofits and local leaders in addressing these challenges. Her commitment to listening and learning directly from staff and volunteers is a meaningful step toward building stronger connections and deeper understanding of the realities families are facing.

At Gifts of Love, we look forward to working with Representative Kavros DeGraw to continue strengthening community resources, expanding access to food, and ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive. Together, we can build a more resilient and food-secure future.