Charter Oak Donates More Than $1M Since 2009

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has awarded more than $1 million to non-profits and charitable groups across eastern Connecticut since the inception of its Community Giving Program in 2009.

Throughout the history of its program, thousands of organizations have received funding that has enabled them to better serve the underserved, improve educational resources, and to help create a sense of togetherness. By the end of 2014, total community giving reached $1,015,000.

As the holiday season came to an end, Charter Oak proudly distributed several unsolicited donations totaling $32,800 to local food pantries and homeless shelters to help them rebuild their surplus. Recipients included the New London Homeless Hospitality Center; Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc.; The New London Community Meal Center; St. Vincent de Paul Place; Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality, Inc.; Friends of Assisi Food Pantry; Covenant Soup Kitchen; and the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center.

Food insecurity and homelessness have become a serious issue in New London and Windham counties. While there are resources available, access can sometimes be limited especially in remote areas that are often referred to as “food deserts.”

Resources such as the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center’s Mobile Food Pantry provide convenient access to food and assistance programs in nine towns on a monthly basis.

“The need for brick-and-mortar food pantries, as well as easy-to-access mobile pantries, has never been greater, and Charter Oak is proud to participate,” said Brian A. Orenstein, Charter Oak’s Chief Executive Officer.

Earlier in 2014 Charter Oak awarded the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center a grant to assist with expansion costs. Since then, the Food Center was able to add Salem to its location roster, and Charter Oak employees have signed onboard as volunteers to distribute the food.

Charter Oak has had many significant community highlights since the start of its Community Giving Program; most recently a three-year $15,000 pledge to United Community & Family Services in Norwich; a five-year $50,000 pledge to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Center in Waterford; and a $50,000 five-year pledge to the Regional Community YMCA to be built in Putnam.
For more information about Charter Oak’s Community Giving Program, visit CharterOak.org/community. 

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Waterford, Connecticut, offers a broad range of financial services – including checking, deposit, lending, insurance and investments – to individuals, businesses, non-profits and professionals in New London and Windham counties. If you live, work, worship, attend school, or volunteer in New London and Windham counties, we invite you to do business with us. For more information about what Charter Oak can offer you, please visit CharterOak.org. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.