EAST HARTFORD, CT (July 17, 2024) |
American Eagle Financial Credit Union (American Eagle FCU) is proud to announce its recent donation of $6,000 to combat summer food insecurity for families through its support of several local nonprofit organizations. The company has made contributions to Master’s Manna in Wallingford, the Hunger Action Team in East Hartford, Got Lunch Newington, Midwest Food Bank New England in Manchester, and Enfield Food Shelf.
“Food insecurity spikes over the summer,” said American Eagle FCU President & CEO Howard Brady. “Many families rely on school lunch programs to feed their children during the school year and when summer rolls along, it can put a lot of extra stress on families. We are proud to support these organizations in our community that are providing nutritious meals and groceries.”
Master’s Manna in Wallingford will use the funds to support the increased demand for their Family Food Pantry and Family Dining Center, which serves 525 households and nearly 400 hot meals each week during the summer months. Master’s Manna provides support for other basic human needs such as health support services, homeless support and intervention, a clothing center and laundry facilities.
The East Hartford Hunger Action Team donation will support their Backpacker Program. The organization’s Backpacker Program is run by the East Hartford Public Schools and Sodexo Foodservice Program. It provides students with severe food insecurity a backpack of non-perishable food items each weekend to help cover the gaps when students are not in school. This program recognizes the importance of ensuring that individuals and families have access to nutritious meals, especially during the school year.
Midwest Food Bank in Manchester will use the donation to supplement its food inventory. For every $1 donated, Midwest Food Bank New England gives agencies at least $30 of products, absolutely free. This enables them to serve more people with a wider variety of items and use their budget dollars for supplementary wrap-around services assisting people in becoming financially independent again.
Enfield Food Shelf needed support for its Summer Lunch Link Program. The donation from American Eagle FCU will help to provide more than 6,000 lunches to families who live at or below the poverty level this summer.
The donation to Got Lunch Newington will support their lunch program throughout the summer for families in need.
“We deliver lunch ingredients to over 100 Newington children every summer,” said Erika Bronyah, Board Member for Got Lunch Newington. “It costs $150 to feed one child during the summer, and we mostly
rely on small donations from the community, so this donation from American Eagle means so much to our organization."
Through these charitable contributions, American Eagle is making a significant impact on the fight against summer food insecurity. The company remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that address critical issues in the communities it serves, giving everyone the freedom to soar.
Pictured from left to right: Kristin Kautz, Ann Marino (sitting), Dale Hasbrouck, Erika Bronyah, Kelly Pinkerton and Kristen Hurley, members of the Got Lunch Newington Board at their biannual food drive to feed Newington children in the summer.
from Left to Right: Linda Craig, Master’s Manna Board Member; Colleen Boccaccio, American Eagle Financial Credit Union; Nancy Stockman, Master’s Manna Executive Director.
Pictured from Left to Right: Jan Young, Midwest Food Bank New England Executive Director and Howard Brady, American Eagle Financial Credit Union President & CEO.
Pictured from left to right: Carolyn Pancarowicz MS, RD, East Hartford Public Schools Registered Dietitian, East Hartford High School and Howard Brady, President & CEO of American Eagle Financial Credit Union.
Pictured: American Eagle Financial Credit Union Team Members recently volunteered with other members of the community to rebuild the Mayberry School’s garden and outdoor learning space. This project is part of East Hartford Public School’s Farm to School Team with the Hunger Action Team. (Photo credit to East Hartford Hunger Action Team Facebook Page
left to right: Kathleen Souvigney, Executive Director, Enfield Food Shelf; and Braden Haddock, Assistant Branch Manager, American Eagle Financial Credit Union Enfield Branch