Bank of America Awards More Than $1 Million to Address Critical Needs in Delaware

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced more than $1 million in grants to 20 nonprofits in Delaware addressing critical needs, such as hunger and shelter, as well as longer term solutions that promote financial wellness through access to benefits and resources.

“We’re committed to supporting our local community and look to make investments that are responding to the greatest needs of the people that live here,” said Chip Rossi, Delaware market president for Bank of America. “These grants will assist nonprofits addressing Delaware’s immediate needs while also supporting integrated services that will help people get back on their feet.”

Some of the organizations receiving funding are:

· The Food Bank of Delaware was awarded a grant to support 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. The Food Bank is currently providing services to over 241,000 people annually and 44% of the members of households served are Delaware children under the age of 18. And last November, over forty Bank of America employees assisted the Food Bank of Delaware with a Thanksgiving meal box distribution. Approximately 1,800 free holiday boxes were distributed to organizations who serve Delawareans struggling to put meals on the table.

· 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 2011, 425 Delaware families participated in the emergency homeless shelters and transitional housing at the Ministry of Caring.

· The Delaware Center for Horticulture in Wilmington received a grant to support 100% FRESH, a project that will provide more fresh produce to residents of Wilmington’s low-income communities. With Bank of America’s support, the goal of the 2013 growing season is to expand the capacity and outreach of three community gardens, as well as the 12th and Brandywine Urban Farm, and to sell 100% of the farm’s produce within the Wilmington foodshed.

Grants were also awarded to AIDS Delaware, American National Red Cross, Brandywine Community Resource Council, Catholic Charities, Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing, Homeward Bound, Lutheran Community Services, Meals on Wheels Delaware, Operation Warm, Sojourner’s Place, St. Patrick’s Center, Sunday Breakfast Mission, United Cerebral Palsy, United Way of Delaware, Wilmington Senior Center, YMCA of Delaware and YWCA of Delaware.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation is awarding nearly $22 million in grants to over 1,000 nonprofits across the country. The majority of grants will support nonprofits serving low-income communities that have been disproportionately affected by the economic downturn. 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.

Last year, the bank announced over $1.6 million in grants to Delaware nonprofits that support housing, workforce development and education, and our Neighborhood Builder program.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation will be accepting grant applications from nonprofits working on workforce development and education through February 15, 2013. For more information on the request for proposals, or to submit an application, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.

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