United for Gemma Benefit Gala honors Food Center founder and those carrying on her legacy

United Way of Southeastern Connecticut (United Way) held its fourth annual United for Gemma Benefit Gala on Thursday, October 8 at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. The gala celebrated the life and legacy of Gemma Moran, founder of the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center (Food Center). The sold-out event was an unforgettable evening of community, celebration, and purpose.

This year’s gala marked a fundraising milestone, as the evening raised $253,520 with proceeds supporting the Gemma Legacy Fund. For the first time, the gala raised more than $200,000, helping the Gemma Legacy Fund reach an exciting milestone of more than $1 million raised to date! The Legacy Fund and the gala were established after Gemma’s passing in 2023 to honor her legacy and generate sustainable support for the operation of the Food Center for years to come.

“Each of you who helped in reaching this goal has made Gemma proud,” said United Way President and CEO Dina Sears-Graves. “Thank you all for continuing Gemma’s mission toward ending food insecurity in New London County."

The event also featured the presentation of two awards. The Gemma E. Moran Inspiration Award is presented annually to an individual who honors Gemma’s legacy by working to support those facing food insecurity in New London County and inspiring others to do the same.

The award was presented this year to State Senator Cathy Osten, who helped the Food Center obtain state funding that allowed United Way to make necessary improvements at the Food Center and purchase equipment to help food pantries across the region build capacity and expand access to nutritious food. Sen. Osten also advocated for Southeastern Connecticut, the Food Center, and its network of member pantries to be included in state hunger relief efforts during the federal government shutdown last year, mirroring Gemma’s commitment to being a voice for those who need assistance against food insecurity.

The Sara Chaney Heart of the Community Award, named after the Food Center’s first volunteer and paid employee, honors extraordinary dedication and hands-on work, which Chaney exemplified by building the operational capacity of the Food Center facility. This year’s recipient was Koralee S. Lawrence, Craig Floyd Giving Garden Manager at Coogan Farm, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.

Koralee’s garden planning directly reflects the wants and needs of guests at the Food Center’s Mobile Food Pantry—she uses data collected at the pantry to determine what she will grow based on the guests’ preferences. Since Koralee became manager, the Craig Floyd Giving Garden has donated more than $100,000 worth of produce to the Food Center, helping provide community members with fresh, nutritious food.

Peter Baker, president of the Metal Trades Council of New London County, spoke at the gala, reflecting on the Food Center’s enduring impact and the hope it was founded on. “My parents weren’t well educated, and they didn’t have good jobs, but they did what they could do,” Peter said. “Sometimes, we’d still go to bed hungry. Gemma’s dream was that no kid would ever have a nightmare about going to bed hungry.”

The United for Gemma Benefit Gala was made possible by the following sponsors:

• Presenting sponsors:
• Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
• Foxwoods Resort Casino
• WONDR Nation
• Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
• Gold sponsors: 
• Connecticut Laborers’ District Council
• MDA-UAW Local 571
• General Dynamics Electric Boat
• Silver sponsor: Yale New Haven Health/Lawrence & Memorial Hospital

United Way is grateful for all who supported the gala, including attendees, donors, and volunteers as well as the Women United Affinity Group, which played a key role in making the gala possible.

About United Way of Southeastern Connecticut

United Way of Southeastern Connecticut is a locally based nonprofit organization supporting a network of health and human services, programs, and initiatives in New London County that work together to help people in need and improve community conditions. Supported programs make an impact in four areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency.

United Way operates the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center which provides food to a network of member food programs in New London County and a Mobile Pantry. United Way supports 2-1-1 Connecticut for free information and referral 24/7, Project Warm-up for one-time, emergency heating assistance, Days of Caring volunteer events, and more. Visit United Way online at www.uwsect.org.