Newtown Lions Club is planning a Stuff-A-Truck event in cooperation with Big Y World Class Market and the US Army 411th Civil Affairs Battalion on Saturday, September 28, from 9 am to 4 pm, at Queen Street Shopping Plaza.

According to Bruce Walczak, who co-chairs the Lions Hunger Committee, “This event is designed to be fun while supporting four local food pantries: Daily Bread Food Pantry in Danbury, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, and Hospitality Hall and FAITH Food Pantry of Newtown.

Shawn Norris, store director of Big Y World Class Market in Newtown said, “The Big Y is thrilled to host an event that benefits everyone in our community. We’re looking forward to working with the Lions and the US Army Reserves to keep area food pantries stocked.”

Estimates from Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, indicate that of the 3.6 million residents in Connecticut, 1 in 10 are hungry. In Fairfield County more than 68,000 individuals struggle with hunger and over 15,000 children are hungry. These are people from all walks of life — children, working parents, seniors, or people living with disabilities. These are friends and neighbors in this community.

The amount of money needed to feed people suffering from food insecurity has increased significantly. The cost per meal in Fairfield County Connecticut has gone up to its highest point in the last two decades, to just over $5. Without the generous work of area food banks and soup kitchens many of these individuals would go without food.

Connecticut Foodshare supports individuals and families — from one end of the state to the other — by addressing root causes, creating long-term solutions, and distributing nutritious food through local partner programs such as this weekend’s Stuff-A-Truck Event in an effort to alleviate hunger.

Food insecurity — hunger — is one of five major initiatives Newtown Lions Club is serving throughout its community.

Newtown Lions President Dr Joe Young said other ways the local chapter serves includes helping those with low vision; vision screening of young people; bringing greater awareness and education of diabetes; addressing environmental issues through planting of trees within the community and cleaning streets; as well as helping to provide support to families and research for childhood cancer.

“The Newtown Lions always answer the call to serve through acts of kindness and would like to share with you that wonderful feeling of serving those in need during this important Stuff-A-Truck event,” Young added.

This month communities across America are joining together to fight hunger. Newtown Lions Club will have members at each entrance of Big Y on Saturday, and hopes to see many friendly faces ready to offer a donation. Big Y employees will be available to help fill bags.