About Webinars and Info Sessions
Our Wednesday Webinar series offers topical information and resources that can help partners innovate in their work providing food and beyond-food resources to neighbors in need. The webinars are the third Wednesday of each month from 1PM to 2PM unless otherwise stated. Recordings will be available for past webinars.
Our Food Bank Fundamentals series are recurring presentations to provide network partners an opportunity to refresh skills and procedures in operational areas that affect their work with Connecticut Foodshare. The presentations are the first Thursday of each month (Online Ordering) and fourth Thursday quarterly (Welcoming Culture) from 1PM to 2PM unless otherwise stated. Recordings will be available for past presentations.
Click on the name of the training or meeting below to see more information or to view a recording of a past training.
2024 Webinars Listed by Month
January
February
March
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, January 4, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Hear the latest from the Food Bank, including the 2024 Community Impact Grants process, an update on fees, new technology coming to the food bank, and more.
Wednesday, January 10, 1PM
Join us for a review of the Community Impact Grant program for 2024. Learn about deadlines, the grant application process, and more.
Wednesday, January 24, 1PM to 2PM
Connecticut Foodshare’s Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions hosts virtual SWAP office hours. Join us on Zoom to meet with a member of the Institute to ask questions such as:
- What is SWAP?
- How to get started with SWAP
- Tips on educating pantry guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines and more.
Please register in advance for our next meeting on Friday, January 26th, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, February 7, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Wednesday, February 1, 1PM to 2PM
Join Events Manger, Chevon Reid, for an information session and Q&A for partners interested in signing on as a benefiting partner in Connecticut Foodshare’s 2024 Walk Against Hunger.
Wednesday, February 14, 1PM to 2PM
Join us virtually to learn about different ways you can incorporate customer service at your partner program (food assistance program) to create a welcoming culture. This webinar will provide best practices for providing food assistance while elevating our neighbor’s experience. This presentation will be helpful to any paid or volunteer staff at your organization.
Thursday, Febraury 22, 1PM to 2PM
Virtual SWAP Q&A sessions are hosted on the fourth Monday of every month, from 1PM to 2PM. We invite partners to join us on Zoom to discuss topics such as:
• Tips on educating guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines.
• How to get started with SWAP at your program.
• Best practices for SWAP implementation.
Lead by Chris Farrand, Training and Volunteer Engagement Coordinator for the Salvation Army’s Eastern Territory, this webinar invites participants to recognize the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue and burnout and how it impacts your work and personal life. More importantly, this course offers effective self-care strategies for promoting compassion resiliency.
Wednesday, February 28, 2PM to 3PM
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, March 7, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Thursday, March 7, 1PM to 2PM
For Mobile Pantry host sites. Have questions about the Mobile Pantry program and your host site role? Looking for updates on program activity? Join the Mobile Pantry program team for the latest.
Benefiting Walk Against Hunger Partners will hear from Events Manger, Chevon Reid, and fellow Network Partners to learn about fundraising strategies to make the most of this opportunity.
Wednesday, March 13, 1PM to 2PM
Join Connecticut Foodshare and network partner, Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS), to learn about information and resources addressing the unique needs of serving immigrant and refugee populations.
Wednesday, March 20, 1PM to 2PM
View recording of migration story shared in presentation slides
Virtual SWAP Q&A sessions are hosted on the fourth Monday of every month, from 1PM to 2PM. We invite partners to join us on Zoom to discuss topics such as:
• Tips on educating guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines.
• How to get started with SWAP at your program.
• Best practices for SWAP implementation.
April
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, April 4, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Thursday, April 4, 1PM to 2PM
Virtual SWAP Q&A sessions are hosted on the fourth Monday of every month, from 1PM to 2PM. We invite partners to join us on Zoom to discuss topics such as:
• Tips on educating guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines.
• How to get started with SWAP at your program.
• Best practices for SWAP implementation.
Whether your organization’s budget is large or small it is important that you understand and follow some basic financial concepts and procedures. Join CT Foodshare’s Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Bartholomay for this informative session.
May
Join us for updates from President and CEO Jason Jakubowski, and other representatives of Connecticut Foodshare. The forum will be recorded for those unable to attend.
Wednesday, May 8, 1PM to 2PM
Join us virtually to learn about different ways you can incorporate customer service at your partner program (food assistance program) to create a welcoming culture. This webinar will provide best practices for providing food assistance while elevating our neighbor’s experience. This presentation will be helpful to any paid or volunteer staff at your organization.
Thursday, May 23, 1PM to 2PM
Virtual SWAP Q&A sessions are hosted on the fourth Monday of every month, from 1PM to 2PM. We invite partners to join us on Zoom to discuss topics such as:
• Tips on educating guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines.
• How to get started with SWAP at your program.
• Best practices for SWAP implementation.
June
Join us to review the Connecticut Foodshare Partnership Agreement. More details will be added once we get closer to the webinar date.
Wednesday, June 19, 1PM to 2PM
Virtual SWAP Q&A sessions are hosted on the fourth Monday of every month, from 1PM to 2PM. We invite partners to join us on Zoom to discuss topics such as:
• Tips on educating guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines.
• How to get started with SWAP at your program.
• Best practices for SWAP implementation.
July
August
September
Join us virtually to learn about different ways you can incorporate customer service at your partner program (food assistance program) to create a welcoming culture. This webinar will provide best practices for providing food assistance while elevating our neighbor’s experience. This presentation will be helpful to any paid or volunteer staff at your organization.
Thursday, July 25, 1PM to 2PM
October
Join us virtually to learn about different ways you can incorporate customer service at your partner program (food assistance program) to create a welcoming culture. This webinar will provide best practices for providing food assistance while elevating our neighbor’s experience. This presentation will be helpful to any paid or volunteer staff at your organization.
Thursday, October 24, 1PM to 2PM
November
December
2023 Webinars Listed by Month
January
This is your quarterly food bank update from President and CEO Jason Jakubowski, Chief Network and Program Officer Chris O’Rourke, and Senior Director of Network Relations Miranda Muro. We open the forum for questions from partners.
Wednesday, January 11, 1PM to 2PM
February
OrderAhead is an online grocery shopping tool, available for free from Feeding America, for food pantries to offer to their customers. It offers privacy, choice and scheduling convenience.
Wednesday, February 15, 1PM to 2PM
March
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, March 2, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Thursday, March 2, 1PM to 2PM
Meet Raina Brouillet, Manager of Food Safety & Compliance at Connecticut Foodshare. Raina will discuss our food safety program and will provide helpful information to partners on safe food storage and handling, as well as information about what food date codes mean and don’t mean.
Wednesday, March 15, 1PM to 2PM
Join us virtually to learn about different ways you can incorporate customer service at your food assistance program to create a welcoming culture. This presentation will be helpful to any paid or volunteer staff at your organization.
Thursday, March 23, 1PM to 2PM
April
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, April 6, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Thursday, April 6, 1PM to 2PM
Hear from experts on resources available for your neighbors to help understand their rights and provide resources to help retain or secure safe, adequate housing.
Wednesday, April 19, 1PM to 2PM
Join us virtually to learn about different ways you can incorporate customer service at your food assistance program to create a welcoming culture. This presentation will be helpful to any paid or volunteer staff at your organization.
Thursday, April 27, 1PM to 2PM
Each month the Connecticut Foodshare Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions hosts SWAP virtual office hours, on the fourth Friday of every month from 1:00PM – 2:00PM. Join us on Microsoft Teams. During the office hour you can expect to meet with a member of the Institute and ask questions such as:
- What is SWAP?
- How to get started with SWAP?
- Tips on educating pantry guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines and more.
May
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, May 4, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Thursday, May 4, 1PM to 2PM
Learn about new Connecticut job training program, Career ConneCT. This no cost program offers training for recognized industry credentials in fields including: manufacturing, health care, life sciences, information technology, financial services, business services, and clean energy. To ensure program completion Career ConneCT offers support service to trainees and their families in the form of childcare, transportation, food, housing, technology, benefits counseling, stipends, and more. Join us to learn about potential collaborative opportunities.
- View/download presentation slides.
- View/download the Desk Reference mentioned in the presentation.
- View/download the general information flyer.
Wednesday, May 17, 1PM to 2PM
This is your quarterly food bank update from President and CEO Jason Jakubowski, Chief Network and Program Officer Chris O’Rourke, and Senior Director of Network Relations Miranda Muro. We open the forum for questions from partners.
Wednesday, May 24, 1PM to 2:30PM
Join us virtually to learn about different ways you can incorporate customer service at your food assistance program to create a welcoming culture. This presentation will be helpful to any paid or volunteer staff at your organization.
Thursday, May 25, 1PM to 2PM
Each month the Connecticut Foodshare Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions hosts SWAP virtual office hours, on the fourth Friday of every month from 1:00PM – 2:00PM. Join us on Microsoft Teams. During the office hour you can expect to meet with a member of the Institute and ask questions such as:
- What is SWAP?
- How to get started with SWAP?
- Tips on educating pantry guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines and more.
Registration link coming soon.
June
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, June 1, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Thursday, June 1, 1PM to 2PM
For Mobile Pantry host sites. Have questions about the Mobile Pantry program and your host site role? Looking for updates on program activity? Join the Mobile Pantry program team each month for the latest.
Join our team from Connecticut Foodshare’s Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions to learn more about the importance of collecting feedback from the people you serve. The webinar will cover why collecting feedback is important, different ways to gather information, and how to use that input to inform the work of your program.
Join us virtually to learn about different ways you can incorporate customer service at your food assistance program to create a welcoming culture. This presentation will be helpful to any paid or volunteer staff at your organization.
Thursday, June 22, 1PM to 2PM
Each month the Connecticut Foodshare Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions hosts SWAP virtual office hours, on the fourth Friday of every month from 1:00PM – 2:00PM. Join us on Microsoft Teams. During the office hour you can expect to meet with a member of the Institute and ask questions such as:
- What is SWAP?
- How to get started with SWAP?
- Tips on educating pantry guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines and more.
July
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, July 6, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Thursday, July 6, 1PM to 2PM
This one-hour webinar will provide a review of new and updated TEFAP requirements and processes.
Learn about how the UConn Expanded Food Nutrition and Education Program’s (EFNEP) Cook and Chat program can help pantry participants save money and eat better! UConn EFNEP Nutrition Outreach Educators, Heather Pease and Angela Caldera will provide an interactive presentation for pantry providers about the virtual bilingual fall Cook and Chat series. The program emphasizes how to use unfamiliar pantry foods, how to build confidence in the kitchen, and gives participants the opportunity to earn kitchen tools like blenders.
Wednesday, July 19, 1PM to 2PM
Join us virtually to learn about different ways you can incorporate customer service at your food assistance program to create a welcoming culture. This presentation will be helpful to any paid or volunteer staff at your organization.
Thursday, July 27, 1PM to 2PM
Each month the Connecticut Foodshare Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions hosts SWAP virtual office hours, on the fourth Friday of every month from 1:00PM – 2:00PM. Join us on Microsoft Teams. During the office hour you can expect to meet with a member of the Institute and ask questions such as:
- What is SWAP?
- How to get started with SWAP?
- Tips on educating pantry guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines and more.
August
This one-hour webinar will provide a review of new and updated TEFAP requirements and processes.
Thursday, August 3, 1PM to 2PM
#GiveHealthy is an online platform for raising food for your program that helps you get the foods you need, when you need them. The tool is easy to use and helps your community provide support through food purchases delivered to your organization on a schedule that works for you. Hear from partner program Neighbor to Neighbor’s Interim Director Duncan Lawson and #GiveHealthy representative Nora Noll about how the program works and how your program can get started.
Wednesday, August 16, 1PM to 2PM
Join us virtually to learn about different ways you can incorporate customer service at your food assistance program to create a welcoming culture. This presentation will be helpful to any paid or volunteer staff at your organization.
Thursday, August 24, 1PM to 2PM
Each month the Connecticut Foodshare Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions hosts SWAP virtual office hours, on the fourth Friday of every month from 1:00PM – 2:00PM. Join us on Microsoft Teams. During the office hour you can expect to meet with a member of the Institute and ask questions such as:
- What is SWAP?
- How to get started with SWAP?
- Tips on educating pantry guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines and more.
September
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, September 7, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Thursday, September 7, 1PM to 2PM
Join us for updates from President and CEO Jason Jakubowski, and other representatives of Connecticut Foodshare. The forum will be recorded for those unable to attend.
Wednesday, September 13, 1PM to 2PM
For Mobile Pantry host sites. Have questions about the Mobile Pantry program and your host site role? Looking for updates on program activity? Join the Mobile Pantry program team each quarter for the latest.
It takes more than food to end hunger for good. People seek out food assistance programs to due economic burden, which can be linked to other barriers such as housing instability, under or un-employment, or having to make the difficult decision between buying food or paying bills. Food assistance programs serve as trusted settings to connect families with non-food resources to help build pathways out of food insecurity. This webinar will discuss the importance of connection to non-food resources, provide methods of connecting guests to non-food resources, and spotlight partner agencies that connect their guests to a variety of resources.
Each month the Connecticut Foodshare Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions hosts SWAP virtual office hours, on the fourth Friday of every month from 1:00PM – 2:00PM. Join us on Microsoft Teams. During the office hour you can expect to meet with a member of the Institute and ask questions such as:
- What is SWAP?
- How to get started with SWAP?
- Tips on educating pantry guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines and more.
This one-hour webinar will provide a review of new and updated TEFAP requirements and processes.
Join us virtually to learn about different ways you can incorporate customer service at your food assistance program to create a welcoming culture. This presentation will be helpful to any paid or volunteer staff at your organization.
Thursday, September 28, 1PM to 2PM
October
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, October 5, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Thursday, October 5, 1PM to 2PM
Learn tips and tools to maximize your program’s social media to raise awareness, recruit volunteers, and raise funds and food. Presenters will include Connecticut Foodshare’s social media lead and fellow partner agencies.
Wednesday, October 18, 1PM
Join us virtually to learn about different ways you can incorporate customer service at your food assistance program to create a welcoming culture. This presentation will be helpful to any paid or volunteer staff at your organization.
Thursday, October 26, 1PM to 2PM
Each month the Connecticut Foodshare Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions hosts SWAP virtual office hours, on the fourth Friday of every month from 1:00PM – 2:00PM. Join us on Microsoft Teams. During the office hour you can expect to meet with a member of the Institute and ask questions such as:
- What is SWAP?
- How to get started with SWAP?
- Tips on educating pantry guests, staff, and volunteers on SWAP guidelines and more.
Connecticut Foodshare is evaluating whether to move to a different agency record-keeping and online ordering platform. We are seeking partner input on whether this new system will make ordering food from the foodbank easier and more user friendly. Please join us for a review of the Primarius 2 software and online ordering tool.
Monday, October 23, 1:00PM
No recording available due to technical difficulties.
November
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, November 2, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Thursday, November 2, 1PM to 2PM
December
Do you or someone on your team need a refresher on online ordering? Join us virtually Thursday, December 7, from 1-2 PM with Sherry Grant, Network and Program Support Manager at Connecticut Foodshare, to review the process. This presentation is targeted to the team members at your organization who place food orders.
Thursday, December 7, 1PM to 2PM
For Mobile Pantry host sites. Have questions about the Mobile Pantry program and your host site role? Looking for updates on program activity? Join the Mobile Pantry program team each month for the latest.
Recordings from 2022 Presentations
Find recordings from past presentations here.