The Man In The Fedora (The Friday Ficks S6 E17)

He came nearly every Sunday.

Suit pressed. Tie straight. Vintage fedora set just right. Dignified. Respectful. Gracious.

As a young lawyer in the late ’80s, I volunteered at a soup kitchen in New Britain, Connecticut. Sunday mornings brought a steady stream of guests - some once, some often. But I’ve never forgotten him.

He didn’t just walk in - he arrived. Like a man headed somewhere important. Like a man who refused to let his circumstances define his identity. Proud. Regal. Grounded.

Back then, we didn’t have the language for it. Today, we do.

Food insecurity. And it’s closer than we think.

Right here in Connecticut, more than 500,000 people - 1 in 7 of our neighbors - struggle to access enough food. Even harder to grasp: 1 in 6 children don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

That’s not a statistic. That’s a reality.

That’s why Connecticut Foodshare matters. It’s more than meals - it’s dignity, community, and hope in action. Last year, they helped provide over 47 million meals across our state.

Tomorrow is Connecticut Foodshare’s Walk Against Hunger (ctfoodshare.org/walk)

It’s not just a walk. It’s a statement.

That we see the need. That we care enough to show up. That we’re willing to do something about it.

So join us. Walk. Give. Support. Share. Because impact doesn’t come from intention - it comes from action.

When I take my steps tomorrow, I’ll be thinking of the man in the fedora. He showed up with dignity - no matter what.

Now it’s our turn.

Own the day. Own the weekend.

Carl

Ps. Go here to register and donate: ctfoodshare.org/walk