Published February 08. 2021 12:56PM | Updated February 08. 2021 5:17PM
Waterford Charter Oak Federal Credit Union donated more than $100,000 in emergency food assistance to eastern Connecticut’s food pantries and food centers during 2020, the credit union has announced in a news release.
Charter Oak initially donated $75,000 in emergency grants in April for food supplies at food centers and food pantries serving New London and Windham counties. The credit union donated an additional $32,000 in year-end assistance to the organizations in December for a total of $107,000 in emergency food assistance.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly hard on our region’s food pantries because the demand was so strong throughout the year, especially during the holidays,” said Brian Orenstein, Charter Oak’s president and chief executive officer. “So in addition to our donations this past spring, we made sure to allocate an additional $32,000 at year’s end to help restock t
Published January 27. 2021 3:40PM
Ledyard The United Way of Southeastern Connecticut has announced the distribution of $119,984 to local social services agencies through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. The funding is made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support access to food, shelter and housing cost assistance as determined by a local board.
The awards are as follows:
Mass shelter awards, to cover expenses for on-site housing with organizations with five or more beds in one location, were given to Covenant Shelter of New London ($12,500), New London Homeless Hospitality Center ($13,834), Reliance Health ($5,000) and Safe Futures ($5,000).
Rent and mortgage awards, to cover one month s worth of clients rent, mortgage or lot fees, were given to Always Home ($3,000), Catholic Charities Diocese of Norwich ($7,000), the City of Norwich ($10,000), Thames Valley Council for Community Action ($6,000), Salvation Army New London ($2,000) and the
New London For a few frantic hours, Linda Berard worried that a single positive COVID-19 test of an employee at the New London Community Meal Center might have a devastating domino effect.
That positive case led the meal center to make a tough call and turn away the volunteers lined up to cook for the week at the center’s Montauk Avenue kitchen.
Because of the center’s small paid staff, volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization and help to prepare as many as 300 meals per day, including about 120 that are shuttled each day to the New London Homeless Hospitality Center.
Homeless grateful for the kindness of others
Ann Nickerson and Bryan of Norwich at St. Vincent de Paul Place in Norwich. Nickerson was homeless for 7 years and is now living in an apartment. She volunteers full time at the soup kitchen. Bryan was homeless from May until December 11 when a couple offered him a couch to sleep on in one of their properties. At the moment, all the rooms in this house are rented to formerly homeless people, or those in transition. (photo submitted)
Ann Nickerson of Norwich and St. Vincent de Paul Place Executive Director Jill Corbin of Uncasville move a rack of warm clothing inside at the end of the day. (photo submitted)