Al Sr. owned a meat-packing business in New Haven and so, in a sense, put bread on his family's table by making sure that his customers received a quality product at a fair price. And young Al worked for and with his dad before going on to other positions in the food industry – in sales and marketing, in restaurant supplies, even as a food broker – all of which makes his current role especially meaningful. “I’ve been so fortunate,” said Al. “I’ve never lacked for anything or worried where my next meal was coming from – but so many people do.” In wealthy Connecticut alone, it’s estimated that 1 in 10 people are considered food insecure and that statistic – and the faces and stories behind it – have Al convinced that he’s doing what he was meant to do.

Encore is a French word that means ‘again’ and it’s what you shout if you want to extend a performance – and although Al didn't shout, when it was time to move on after his 37 year-career in the food service industry, he was excited and intrigued to hear about Encore Connecticut. Offered through UConn’s School of Public Policy, Encore Connecticut helps corporate and public sector professionals seeking to transition to the nonprofit world. “I can’t say enough about this program,” said Al, who was 59 years old when in 2015 he went through it, spending thirteen weeks part-time learning from and working with leaders of the state nonprofit sector, including a hands-on fellowship. That led to a volunteer stint with what was then Bloomfield-based Foodshare, Inc., which quickly hired him as a paid fundraising event specialist.

Al’s role has changed since then, as has his organization’s structure: in 2021, Foodshare merged with the Wallingford-based Connecticut Food Bank, with the new entity renamed Connecticut Foodshare, part of the Feeding America network of food banks. Now the leader of a team that seeks and nurtures corporate partners, Al spends lots of time networking in pursuit of donations and volunteers. Foodshare annually distributes enough food to prepare nearly 40 million meals to people in need in Connecticut and Al said his satisfaction comes from securing a large gift, one that he knows will make such a difference to so many people. Foodshare is a huge operation, with more than 100 employees and approximately 5,000 volunteers, and Al doesn't normally see those who are the beneficiaries of his work, but he said he’ll never forget the first time he did.

As part of his Foodshare onboarding, Al joined the driver of a van that was dropping off food on a raw, rainy December night and when they pulled into a church parking lot there were lots of people waiting, maybe 150, and they clapped in appreciation when the van arrived and then watched as Al, the driver, and volunteers set up tables and started handing out fresh, healthy produce, bread and meats. He noticed that many of the children were with an older adult, presumably a grandparent, and he was touched to hear everyone saying thanks. “That experience really opened my eyes,” said Al, who at the end of the night, when he was back in his car ready to go home, closed his eyes and sobbed. “People really do need our help and deserve a chance,” he said. “And I know that is what I am meant to be doing.”

Note: For further information about Connecticut Foodshare, please go to: www.ctfoodshare.org.