Foodshare Partners With Bank Of America To Help Feed Greater Hartford Residents During The Coranavirus Pandemic
With so many families home from work, schools going remote, and rising unemployment rates, there has been an unprecedented increase in food insecurity throughout our communities. As the demand for food increases daily, Foodshare is experiencing a strain on resources. By joining forces with Bank of America, Foodshare can continue its mission to help alleviate hunger in the Greater Hartford region. The bank’s donation will allow Foodshare to continue providing food to thousands of families throughout Hartford and Tolland counties who are now food insecure because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The key players throughout this crisis have been Foodshare’s community members, the donors and volunteers who continue to step up to help fill the need. With help from community partners, Foodshare can actively adjust its operations in response to this state of emergency and as new expenses are incurred daily. The aid from Bank of America will help provide over 100,000 meals to people who are desperately in need right now.
“We’re so grateful for the decades-long partnership between Foodshare and Bank of America, and their continued commitment to addressing hunger in Greater Hartford. This gift will help us continue to respond to the incredible need during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of Foodshare.
Recent survey results conducted by Foodshare at their emergency drive-thru food distributions at Rentschler Field and The Hartford Regional Market show that over 70% of households attending these distributions have lost their jobs or had their hours cut due to the coronavirus. During the past month, nearly 7 out of 10 people had to choose between paying for food and paying other bills. For many people coming to the new drive-thru food distribution, this is their first time receiving assistance from Foodshare.
“No family should have to choose between paying for food or paying their bills,” said Joe Gianni, Hartford Market President for Bank of America. “Committing our resources to local communities and addressing the immediate needs of our neighbors during this time is priority for Bank of America, along with supporting our clients and employees. Thank you, Foodshare, for making sure every family can have food on their table.”
About Foodshare
Foodshare is leading an informed, coordinated response to hunger in our community. Foodshare is the Feeding America food bank serving Connecticut’s Hartford and Tolland counties, where 118,000 people struggle with hunger. In partnership with the food industry, donors, community leaders and volunteers, Foodshare works to maximize access to nutritious food and other resources that support food security. Last year, Foodshare distributed more than 11 million meals worth of food to a network of nearly 280 local food pantries, meal programs, and Mobile Foodshare sites. And, because hunger is more than food, Foodshare collaborates with anti-hunger organizations, policy makers, and the broader community to build effective solutions to end hunger.
Foodshare is changing what it means to be a food bank. For more information, visit www.foodshare.org, and follow us on Twitter.
About Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).
Bank of America has delivered more than $2 billion in philanthropic investments since 2009, with approximately $250 million in 2019 alone. In April 2019, the company announced a $5 billion Bank of America Community Homeownership Commitment™ to benefit low- and moderate-income homebuyers and communities across the U.S. over the next five years. Also in 2019, Bank of America Community Development Banking provided a record $4.88 billion in loans, tax credit equity investments and other real estate development solutions. Between 2005 and 2019, Bank of America financed 202,800 affordable housing units. To meet the unique needs of its 12 million small business owners, the company provides advice, solutions and dedicated support. Bank of America maintained its position as the nation’s top small business lender at the end of 2019, with $38.9 billion in total outstanding small business loan balances (defined as business loans in original amounts of $1 million and under), up 7% year over year.
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www.bankofamerica.com