Special Screening & Panel Discussion of A Place at the Table to Raise Awareness about Hunger and Obesity

Durham, CT – When you woke up this morning did you worry there was not enough food in your house to feed your children or yourself breakfast?  Do you spend more time in your day thinking about where your next meal is going to come from or how to make ten dollars last two more weeks?  Do you pick the two-for-a-dollar mac & cheese over the apples because you have no other choice?  If you thought to yourself— yeah, that was me today—then it comes as no shock to learn that currently over 13% Connecticut’s population lives with food insecurity.  Food insecurity is the broad term used to describe a person’s access to safe and healthy food, their ability to find this food within a reasonable distance of their home, and assistance benefits such as SNAP. 

On Sunday, April 6, 2014 there will be a special screening of the documentary A Place at the Table and a post-screening panel discussion with representatives from local organizations about the issues raised in the film.  In particular, this event aims to raise awareness about hunger and its corresponding link to obesity and how this is a very real and pressing problem in the very communities we live in. Community-based organizations will be present to provide supplementary resources for audience members.

Food insecurity not only affects the individual and families, but it also has a lasting effect on the community.  According to the Department of Social Services, in Connecticut currently 25% of students K-12 participate in the school breakfast program and over 34% of students receive free or reduced lunch in schools.  Without steady access to nutritious food, the current trend in obesity will continue to rise.  While it seems that the issues of hunger and obesity dominate the contemporary mass media, this information does not always trickle into the everyday conversation. This is a very real problem happening in every town, city and neighborhood not only in the United States, but here in Connecticut.  This event is an opportunity to raise the consciousness of the community as a first step to taking action.

This event is free to the public; however, non-perishable food donations will be accepted at the door to benefit local food pantries.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. for a pre-reception.  Screening will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m. and the panel discussion to follow.  There will be a small post-reception. 

Location is the United Churches of Durham, 228 Main Street, Durham, CT.

If you have any questions about the event, wish to RSVP or inquire about participating, you can contact Courtney Antonioli at 203-525-4262 or Courtney.Antonioli@yahoo.com, or Elizabeth Cipollina at

860-685-0207 or aaronjess@aol.com.

For more information you can check out the trailer at: http://www.takepart.com/place-at-the-table

Made possible by the by the Durham Interchurch Fund and private donations.