LOWELL, Mass.–Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union has named Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter (NSKS) as the latest winner of the Give-A-Click campaign. The organization received a $1,500 donation from the Credit Union’s We Share A Common Thread Foundation.
Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, established in 1981, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing assistance and advocacy to individuals and families struggling with poverty or homelessness. Although soup kitchen and shelter is stated in its name, the organization provides many more services that help people make their way to self-sufficiency, including employment and education programs, emergency and transitional housing, offering household items to those moving out on their own, supplying personal care items and providing rent or fuel assistance in the form of loans.
On an average monthly basis, 930 families visit NSKS for non-perishable food boxes and the organization receives 2,545 total visits for perishable items.
“It builds visibility within the community,” said Lisa Christie, Executive Director. “It helps gain support from outside the Greater Nashua community, as well. People would tell me ‘I voted’ or ‘I shared it’” she added.
The organization spread the word about their participation and encouraged votes with Facebook posts, email blasts, notices to staff and board members, as well as sharing information on their personal accounts.
The Give-A-Click campaign runs every quarter on the Credit Union’s We Share a Common Thread Foundation website. Community members visit the site to read about worthy non-profit organizations and vote for their favorite one. The charity with the most votes is awarded a $1,500 donation from the Foundation. New charities are posted every quarter and people of the community,
“We are thrilled to declare Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter the winner of our latest Give-A-Click contest,” said Mark S. Cochran, President Chief Executive Officer of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. “Now that we are in the Nashua community, we are excited to be able to extend our support to our new neighbors,” he added.
Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union said it was also honored to feature The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation and Westford Against Substance Abuse as nominees in the third quarter campaign.
The fourth-quarter contest kicked off on October 1st with the following organizations vying for the next donation: Hope Dove Inc., Kids In Disability Sports, Inc. and Family Promise of Greater Nashua at Anne-Marie House.
Below, Brian Sousa (far left), Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union and Susan Hannigan (far right), Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union present Carol Weeks (middle left), Community Outreach Manager at Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, and Lisa Christie (middle right), Executive Director of Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter with a $1,500 donation. Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter is the latest winner of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s Give-A-Click campaign.