Charter Oak Donates $100,000 In December To Region’s Food Pantries

Published On: January 16th, 2024Categories: News & Events, Press Release

Credit Union’s Emergency Grants Strengthened Food Inventories During The Holiday Season

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ronald Wertz
VP-Director of Marketing
860.446.3254

Waterford, CT – January 16, 2024 – Charter Oak Federal Credit Union donated $100,000 in emergency food assistance to eastern Connecticut’s food pantries and food centers to help boost food supplies to those in need during the holiday season.

For the second year in a row 20 food pantries received $5,000 this past December for much-needed food supplies at food centers and food pantries serving New London and Windham counties.

“We believe in the power of giving, especially during the holiday season. By contributing to these food pantries, we aim to provide essential resources to those facing food insecurity. This commitment reflects our dedication to supporting the communities we serve.” said Brian A. Orenstein, Charter Oak’s Chief Executive Officer.

The 20 eastern Connecticut organizations that received emergency food assistance from Charter Oak during 2023 included: Access Community Action Agency; Always Home in Mystic; Care & Share of East Lyme; Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic; Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson; Interfaith Human Services of Putnam-Daily Bread; Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London; Groton Social Services Food Lockers; Montville Food Bank (Montville Social Services); New London Area Food Pantry; New London Community Meal Center; New London Homeless Hospitality Center; Norwich Community Meal Program DBA Lee Memorial UMC; Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center; Project Pin, Inc. in Moosup; Rosalyn Allen Food Pantry in Norwich; Saint Mary’s Church Food Pantry in Jewett City; Saint Vincent De Paul Place in Norwich; TEEG Community Market in North Grosvenordale; and Waterford Community Food Bank in Waterford.

The emergency food donations were funded through Charter Oak’s Community Giving Program, which annually awards sponsorships and grants to non-profits and charitable groups across eastern Connecticut. Charter Oak’s Community Giving Program also includes its Matching Gifts Program, which awarded a combined $400,000 in Charter Oak and member donations to charities and non-profits in 2023, as well as Charter Oak’s $100,000 annual scholarship program for high school and college students. During 2023, Charter Oak and its members community giving efforts totaled over $750,000 in New London and Windham counties and since Charter Oak expanded its community outreach efforts in 2009 it has committed more than $3.5 million in assistance to individuals, non-profits, and charitable organizations.

Charter Oak is eastern Connecticut’s largest credit union with assets of $1.54 billion as of December 31, 2023. For more information about Charter Oak’s broad range of products and services, please visit any of our convenient branches, call our Contact Center at 860.446.8085 or visit CharterOak.org. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union is like a bank, just better! We’ve been proudly serving eastern Connecticut since 1939 and we offer great checking, deposit, lending, insurance, and investment products. And because we’re a credit union, we’re owned by our members, not by shareholders. So we can offer lower rates on loans and higher rates on deposits. It’s easy to become a Charter Oak member: simply live, work, worship, learn, or volunteer in New London or Windham counties. So join today and see why Members Bank Better at Charter Oak!