Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/477238
www.HartfordBusiness.com November 26, 2012 • Hartford Business Journal 83 Celebrating 20 Years of Business News I have so many wonderful memories of time spent in our capital city with fam- ily and friends. Where else can you take your kids to ride one of the country's oldest carousels, see a performance of the Lion King, Wicked or The Jersey Boys at the Bush- nell, join thousands of fans along the parade route in celebration of the UConn men's and women's basketball teams winning national championships in the same year, sing along with Paul McCartney, Billy Joel and Elton Joel at the XL Center, visit the Wadsworth Atheneum, our nation's oldest public art museum, and walk through the home of The Mark Twain House which the author called the time spent in Hartford as the "happiest and most productive years of his life"? It is impossible for me to talk about just one memory. My wife, Pat, and I remem- ber the excitement reflected in the eyes of our now-adult son and daughter, Matt and Kristen, as we watched the Fourth of July fireworks over the Connecticut River. I remember enjoying many wonderful meals at downtown restaurants with my clients and partners before heading off to an excit- ing UConn basketball game. I also remem- ber attending many Hartford Whalers games before a packed Civic Center where we loudly cheered our team when they won and com- miserated when they lost; with the biggest loss happening when the team left town. We've all seen changes in Hartford; and at times we think back to the "good old days," and wish for things that remain only fond memories. But the city is ever evolving, and growing. It was not so long ago that Hartford did not have a facility large enough to host events like St. Francis Hospital's "Miracles", which annually attracts nearly 1,500 guests raising funds to support essential medical and healthcare programs for our region. The Connecticut Convention Center changed that and annually attracts national conventions bringing thousands of visitors and millions of dollars to our region; money spent at hotels, restaurants and shops. The Connecticut Sci- ence Center is a destination for kids of all ages offering hands on exhibits and displays to inspire the next generation of scientists. Hartford's future is bright; and we all have a responsibility to support our capital city. Adrian's Landing and the Front Street District will blend the old of the nearby Old State House and Hartford Club, with a new movie theatre, restaurants and shops. UConn Hockey will bring new excitement as it enters Hockey East! When the Hartford Business Journal cel- ebrates its 40th anniversary in 2032, others will contribute their memories of the preced- ing 20 years. The memories will be different than mine, and will include revitalized down- town housing with more people making the city their home. But I have no doubt that their memories will be as special as mine, filled with moments spent with family and friends in a beautiful city that affords so much. g Frank Longobardi is managing partner— New England for accounting and consult- ing firm CohnReznick. T here's an old expression that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Foodshare turned 30 this year and looking back, I'm particularly struck by what has not changed. People are still hungry, and we're still attempting to meet that need. There have been many attempts over the years to draw a line in the sand and say, this is how we will end hunger once and for all. For example, in a letter dated Oct. 12, 1999, then Gov. John Rowland wrote to the Secretary of Agriculture, "I commit our state to the goal of reaching food security for all Connecticut households by the year 2010." Needless to say, we missed that deadline and this worthy goal remains unachieved. Over the years, there has been a lot of fin- ger pointing. Government wants the private charities to solve the problem; charities say that government needs to do more. What I have concluded over the last 20 years is that only a true partnership — between govern- ment, private charities, the business commu- nity, the faith community, and individuals — can really hope to end hunger. The problem of hunger is complex, so the solution is not simple. That sometimes makes the mission of ending hunger seem overwhelming or even impossible. But at Foodshare, we still believe it is possible. And you know what keeps our dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and donors at Foodshare motivated? It's the stories, not the statistics. The stories of real people struggling to put food on the table: "I work in an assisted living facility as a CNA. My husband has been laid off for what feels like forever. We are barely getting by to pay rent and car payments,...we can't even afford food anymore. We have 3 kids, 9, 6.. and a 16 month old baby boy. I can't take this anymore...what are we to do? We have nothing anymore.. the kids will be hungry soon, can't pay rent, if my car goes then how will I get to work? ...this economy is liter- ally killing people." – Jennifer, a resident of a Hartford suburb "Very recently I learned about the Mobile Foodshare program. It has made such a positive impact for my husband and me, and I want to thank you directly for that. We're slightly above income for most types of assistance, like SNAP, and are strug- gling to meet all of our needs right now. Rest assured that we truly appreciate the fruit, veggies, and delightful miscella- neous items that have been so cheerfully shared with us, as we visit our local Mobile Foodshare site. It has been an uplifting experience." – Christine, also a suburban resident Have some things changed? Sure. The problem of hunger in our community has grown worse. Twenty years ago, Foodshare had just moved to our first large warehouse and distributed nearly three million pounds of food that year. Less than 15 years later, we'd outgrown that facility and moved to one twice the size where we distributed 12 million pounds of food last year. Now we're preparing to expand yet again. Why? Because we believe something else Governor Rowland said in that 1999 letter, "We have sufficient resources in this state and the generosity to share them such that no person in Connecticut should experience food insecurity." g Gloria McAdams is CEO of Foodshare. Hartford offers much and its future is bright Despite efforts, hunger remains an issue By Frank Longobardi "Remembrance" By Gloria McAdams "Remembrance" 'Have some things changed? Sure. The problem of hunger in our community has grown worse.' 'The city is ever evolving, and growing.' 20 Years REFLECTION The Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center MIRACLES XVIII event raised $900,000 for the new emergency department. Pictured, from left, are: Brad Davis, morning radio host, WDRC-AM; Irene O'Connor, news anchor, WFSB-TV; Archbishop Henry Mansell, archdiocese of Hartford; Eileen Dadlez; and Christopher Dadlez, president and chief executive officer, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center.