On my radio show, we talked about the impact federal cuts are having on our local soup kitchen. Please keep scrolling to find out how you can support those who are going hungry in our community.
Veterans are eligible for free dental care! Read below to get more information as a local program salutes our heroes.
Here are the sections in today's email:
Let's Talk About It: Covenant Soup Kitchen
Free Dental Services for Veterans
Plans To Improve Road Safety
Let's Talk About It: Covenant Soup Kitchen
Due to a reduction in federal funding from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Covenant Soup Kitchen (CSK) is facing an urgent and growing need. On my weekly radio show, "Let's Talk About It," longtime volunteer and borad member Ray Aramini, who has dedicated 34 years to CSK, shared the facility is now losing about 400 pounds of food per day. The situation is expected to worsen once SNAP benefits are limited in 2026. This shortfall is devastating for the many children and families who rely on the soup kitchen for support.
Aramini is calling on our community to come together and help those in need. You can drop off food or monetary donations at the facility on 220 Valley Street between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and look for the door marked CSK deliveries.
Some of the most needed items include canned vegetables, canned fruit, soups, and toiletries.
The Covenant Soup Kitchen is more than a meal, it's a welcoming place where everyone is treated with dignity and compassion. Guests can enjoy warm food, find comfort, and connect with others in a caring environment thanks to the tireless efforts of CSK's dedicated staff and volunteers.
We also discussed the soup kitchen's expansion plans and more. Be sure to listen to the full interview by clicking on the video below.
Ray Aramini describes how the Covenant Soup Kitchen makes a difference in our community.
Free Dental Services for Veterans
The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative has received a $25,000 grant to provide free dental services for veterans in need. The program is open to veterans who live in the greater Hartford area or are willing to travel to Farmington.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) plans to modernize four intersections in Windham by making traffic lights safer, smarter, and easier to manage.
The locations in Windham include:
Route 6 (Boston Post Road) at Route 66 Eastbound ramps
Route 32 (Main Street) at Willimantic Plaza Drive
Route 32 (West Main Street) at Cantor Drive
Route 66 (Boston Post Road) at Tuckie Road
Route 32 (West Main Street) at Cantor Drive
CTDOT plans to make these traffic lights fully operational with red, yellow, and green cycles 24 hours a day. Some of them currently switch to flashing yellow or red mode late at night when traffic is light.
Crews will add cameras and communication equipment while replacing current traffic signal controllers with modern and more reliable units to monitor traffic remotely in real time.
The state plans to complete design plans in June 2026 and tentatively start construction in September 2026. Dozens of other intersections in Eastern Connecticut are also slated to get improvements.
