For almost 50 years, the Joan C. Dauber Food Pantry at St. Francis Hospital has provided food assistance, nutritional counseling and support to families and individuals in Greater Hartford.
Established in 1976, it was the first food pantry located in a hospital setting in the U.S. It is coordinated by Community Health and Well-Being, including Community Health workers, who help ensure clients connect with resources and support, and a dedicated group of volunteers.
Joan C. Dauber worked at St. Francis for more than 40 years, starting the food pantry out of her office closet. After retiring, she continued her support — up to her passing earlier this year.
What have been the organization’s significant accomplishments in the past year?
The Food Pantry serves more than 1,500 in-person clients monthly for food assistance along with necessities like personal hygiene items. It also serves more than 200 families during our monthly diaper clinic.
We established partnerships to help develop a delivery service for homebound clients. At Thanksgiving, clients receive a free bird — turkey or chicken — with all the holiday fixings. In 2024, we distributed 800 birds, the largest number to date.
We deepened our partnership with COMPASS Youth Collaborative’s Training for Employment Program, helping local youth affected by gun violence develop job skills.
What are some major challenges the organization had to overcome?
We faced seasonal barriers, especially for seniors and new mothers waiting in the cold, along with staffing challenges as demand has grown.
To overcome these challenges, we developed and strengthened partnerships, launching a delivery service and welcomed new cohorts from COMPASS Youth Collaborative, which ensured consistent operations and dignified food access.
What’s the organization’s next major goal?
Our next goal is to integrate healthcare services into pantry operations. Through partnerships, we will offer blood pressure and glucose screenings during food distribution, increasing access to preventive care and supporting overall community well-being, especially as access and insurance coverage continue to be barriers.