Bank of America Awards $540,000 to Address Critical Needs in Delaware
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced $540,000 in grants to 17 nonprofits in Delaware addressing critical needs, such as hunger and shelter to longer term solutions that promote financial wellness through access to benefits and resources. This is in addition to the more than $1.7 million in grants to Delaware nonprofits announced earlier this year that support housing and workforce development and education programs.
“We’re working to meet the day-to-day needs of those who live and work in our community,” said Chip Rossi, Delaware market president for Bank of America. “These grants will help nonprofits continue to address Delaware’s most pressing needs while helping individuals become more financially stable in the long term.”
Some of the organizations receiving funding are:
· The Food Bank of Delaware was awarded a grant to support and expand their recently updated Mobile Pantry Program. This program strives to meet the nutritional and educational needs of at-risk and vulnerable populations who do not have adequate access to nutritious foods and benefits the community through direct distribution and an infusion of locally grown produce. Since the new program began in February 2013, a total of 114 distributions have occurred statewide, providing 2,620 participants a total of 253,161 pounds of nutritious foods. The Food Bank is currently providing services to over 241,000 people.
· The Ministry of Caring in Wilmington has been given a grant to aid emergency homeless shelters in Delaware. The organization provides a safe, secure environment for families and individuals experiencing a crisis or chronic homelessness. Participants can also receive case management, drug and alcohol counseling, mental health services, housing assistance placement and job training and search skills. In 2012, 425 Delaware families participated in the emergency homeless shelters and transitional housing at the Ministry of Caring.
· The Sunday Breakfast Mission in Wilmington has received a grant to support community core needs including their evening meal and growing homeless recovery programs. These programs work with the homeless, addicted and impoverished to address spiritual, social and physical needs. With a 30% increase in both the men’s and women’s homeless recovery programs there is an additional two hundred meals provided by the Sunday Breakfast Mission on a daily basis. The grant will also assist with housing these new individuals and providing appropriate clothing.
Grants were also awarded to AIDS Delaware, American National Red Cross, Brandywine Community Resource Council, Catholic Charities, Homeward Bound, Lutheran Community Services, Meals on Wheels Delaware, Newark Senior Center, Sojourner’s Place, St. Patrick’s Center, Westside Family Healthcare, Wilmington Senior Center, YMCA of Delaware and YWCA Delaware.
This funding is part of the company’s intensified philanthropic focus on three core issues vital to the economic health of communities: housing, jobs and hunger and represents an important component of Bank of America’s lending, investing and giving activities to help advance local economies.
Bank of America Corporate Social Responsibility
Bank of America’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic part of doing business globally. Our CSR efforts guide how we operate in a socially, economically, financially and environmentally responsible way around the world, to deliver for shareholders, customers, clients and employees. Our goal is to help create economically vibrant regions and communities through lending, investing and giving. By partnering with our stakeholders, we create value that empowers individuals and communities to thrive and contributes to the long-term success of our business. We have several core areas of focus for our CSR, including responsible business practices; environmental sustainability; strengthening local communities with a focus on housing, hunger and jobs; investing in global leadership development; and engaging through arts and culture. As part of these efforts, employee volunteers across the company contribute their time, passion and expertise to address issues in communities where they live and work. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow us on Twitter at @BofA_Community.
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