WATERBURY, CT -- To support Greater Waterbury through the Covid-19 public health crisis, the American Savings Foundation board of directors awarded a $18,000 grant to Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries (GWIM). This represents a 50% increase over the prior year to help maintain services during a time of increasing need and rising costs for food and supplies.
The GWIM soup kitchen provides daily hot meals Monday through Friday, and bagged lunches on weekends, 365 days a year. The organization’s food pantry is open on the last Monday of the month for full service, and on remaining Mondays for pick-up of emergency food bags only. GWIM staff also screens clients for eligibility and makes referrals to other services in the community.
Demand on GWIM’s services has increased dramatically due to the economic hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The pantry provided 15,833 meals in March, more than double the rate they reported in January and February. Additionally, many of the pantry’s regular volunteers, including older adults and youth organizations, are currently unable to provide the critical volunteer hours that help keep the pantry running. Still, the soup kitchen and food pantry have pressed on, quickly adapting their practices to meet social distancing requirements and providing food to-go in take-out containers.
“American Savings Foundation is proud to partner with Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries to help provide food during a critical time in Waterbury,” said Maria Falvo, President and CEO of the American Savings Foundation. “More families than ever before are experiencing food insecurity, and GWIM has adapted to respond to client needs.”
“Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries is grateful for additional funds and support we’ve received during this time,” said GWIM executive director Barbra Ann Dublin. “It takes a lot of resources to address the current need. With funding partners like the American Savings Foundation, we are able to focus on serving as many people as possible.”
American Savings Foundation is a permanent charitable endowment which provides grants to local nonprofit organizations, and college scholarships to area students. Since its inception in 1995 the Foundation has contributed over $61 million in total grants and scholarships in central Connecticut.
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Contact:
Maria Falvo
President and CEO
American Savings Foundation
860-827-2556
mfalvo@asfdn.org
Website: www.asfdn.org