MIDDLETOWN, CT -- A 2016 study conducted by the United Ways of Connecticut reports that more than one-third of all state households are not earning enough to cover their basic needs, including food. In an effort to make sure everyone in Liberty Bank’s service area can enjoy a turkey dinner this holiday, the Liberty Bank / Rotary Club Thanksgiving Drive, now in its 14th year, has raised a record-breaking $356,372 to help supply that food.
Forty local Rotary Clubs raised $283,297 and the Liberty Bank Foundation matched with 25 cents on the dollar, for an additional $70,824. In addition, the Branford Rotary won $1750 in incentive dollars, while the Southington Rotary brought home $500 in incentives. The $356,372 total will be divided by local food pantries and social service organizations to feed our hungry neighbors this holiday season. Leading Rotary fundraisers include:
- Southington $88,281
- Branford $64,448
- East Hampton $37,312
- Meriden $24,119
- Bristol $23,023
“Right now there are nearly 600,000 people in our state who are food insecure,” said Sue Murphy, executive director of the Liberty Bank Foundation and a member of the Middletown Rotary Club. “Thanks to our wonderful community collaboration with the Rotary, we’re able to stock the shelves at food pantries, assist local social services organizations, and fill Thanksgiving baskets.” All donations are used to provide food in the communities where they were given.
This year, forty Rotary Clubs and the East Haddam Community Lions Club teamed up with the 55 Liberty Bank offices to raise funds in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Since it began in 2004, the Liberty Bank / Rotary Club Thanksgiving Dinner Drive has raised over $2 million. The 2016 drive raised over $225,000, including $57,487 in matching funds from the Liberty Bank Foundation, for a record-breaking year totaling $284,012.
The following Rotary Clubs participated in the 2017 Liberty Bank/Rotary Club Thanksgiving Drive: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Branford, Bristol, Cheshire, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, Derby/Shelton, East Hampton, Essex, Groton/Ledyard, Haddam/Killingworth, Hamden, Kensington/Berlin, Madison, Meriden, Middletown, Mystic, Naugatuck, New Britain/Berlin, New Haven, New London, Newington, Niantic, North Haven, Norwich, Old Saybrook, Plainville, Seymour/Oxford, Southington, Stoningtons, Tribury of Woodbury/Southbury/Middlebury, Wallingford, Waterbury, Waterford, West Hartford, Wethersfield/Rocky Hill, and Willimantic. The East Hampton Community Lions Club also participated.
Rotary is a global network of more than 1.2 million volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. There are 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. As signified by the motto “Service Above Self,” Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world.
Since its inception in 1997, the Liberty Bank Foundation has awarded over $10.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations within Liberty Bank’s market area. The foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for people of low to moderate income by investing in three areas: education to promote economic success for children and families; affordable housing; and basic needs. Along with its grantmaking, the foundation strives to foster the convening and collaboration of nonprofits, funders, business, and government to address community issues. Established in 1825, Liberty Bank is Connecticut’s oldest bank, with almost $4.7 billion in assets and 55 banking offices throughout the central, eastern, and shoreline areas of the state. As a full-service financial institution, Liberty offers consumer and commercial banking, home mortgages, insurance, and investment services. Named as a “Top Workplace” by the Hartford Courant for six consecutive years, Liberty maintains a longstanding commitment to superior personal service and unparalleled community involvement.
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Contact:
Sue Murphy
Liberty Bank Foundation
860-638-2959
smurphy@liberty-bank.com
Website: www.liberty-bank.com; www.libertybankfoundation.org