WATERFORD, Conn. – Charter Oak FCU has donated $32,000 in additional emergency food assistance to eastern Connecticut’s food pantries and food centers to increase food supplies to those in need during the continuing COVID-19 health crisis.
Since April 2020, Charter Oak has donated a total of $139,000 in emergency grants for much-needed food supplies to food centers and food pantries that serve New London and Windham counties.
“The effects of COVID-19 are still impacting our region, especially for those who face food insecurity issues, and it’s our hope that this additional $32,000 will go a long way in restocking supplies for those most in need during this pandemic,” said President/CEO Brian A. Orenstein.
The 16 eastern Connecticut organizations that received emergency food assistance from Charter Oak include: Always Home in Mystic; Care & Share of East Lyme; Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic; Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson; Interfaith Human Services of Putnam-Daily Bread; Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London; Groton Social Services Food Lockers; Montville Food Bank (Montville Social Services); New London Area Food Pantry; New London Community Meal Center; New London Homeless Hospitality Center; Norwich Community Meal Program DBA Lee Memorial UMC; Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center; Rosalyn Allen Food Pantry in Norwich; Saint Mary’s Church Food Pantry in Jewett City; and Saint Vincent De Paul Place in Norwich.
The emergency food donations are funded through Charter Oak’s Community Giving Program, which annually awards sponsorships and grants to non-profits and charitable groups across eastern Connecticut. Charter Oak’s Community Giving Program also includes its Matching Gifts Program, which awarded a combined $400,000 in Charter Oak and member donations to charities and non-profits in 2020, as well as Charter Oak’s $90,000 annual scholarship program for high school and college students.
During 2020, Charter Oak’s community giving efforts totaled nearly $550,000 in New London and Windham counties and since Charter Oak expanded its community outreach efforts in 2009 it has committed more than $3.5 million in assistance to individuals, non-profits, and charitable organizations.