Bank of America donates $200,000 to support the Food Bank of Delaware’s new distribution and community development facility. | PHOTO COURTESY OF BANK OF AMERICA
MILFORD – The Food Bank of Delaware recently unveiled plans for a new, 67,000-square-foot distribution and community development facility, and Bank of America made a $200,000 grant to help with the project.
According to Feeding America, Delaware has 93,900 people who are food insecure, with children making up approximately 31,000 of those. By increasing its presence in the downstate and strengthening its links with the neighbourhood, the Food Bank of Delaware is addressing the urgent need.
Bank of America continues to support its employees’ health and safety throughout the pandemic, while also addressing one of the state’s most pressing needs. Last February, the bank announced a $350,000 donation, worth more than 1 million total meals, to the Food Bank of Delaware on behalf of each employee who recorded a COVID-19 booster shot or vaccine in early 2022.
The bank renewed its booster initiative in the fall, pledging another $50 for each employee who registered a new COVID-19 vaccination, booster or flu shot between Sept. 1 and Nov. 23. This second booster campaign also included a $1.5 million contribution to international hunger organizations.
“We are grateful for Bank of America’s investment to help fight food insecurity in Delaware,” Cathy Kanefsky, president and CEO, Food Bank of Delaware, said in a statement. “Bank of America’s partnership has been crucial in allowing us to meet the increased need for our services caused by the pandemic. This donation enables us to continue growing our downstate services, while also focusing on the long-term recovery of our communities, through job- and skills-based training opportunities that lead to economic growth.”
The Food Bank of Delaware’s new facility will build on existing volunteer and workforce development programs, with an expanded volunteer room, 3.5 acres of outdoor gardening space and an on-site café to provide hands-on training and work experience for students participating in the center’s 14-week culinary training program.
“Food banks and hunger relief organizations continue to experience increased demand and higher costs,” Chip Rossi, president, Bank of America Delaware, said. “At Bank of America, we remain committed to strengthening the communities where we live and work by investing in the health, safety and wellbeing of our teammates, while also providing funds to help Food Bank of Delaware and other local organizations fight food insecurity.”
The bank has encouraged staff to get COVID-19 vaccinations since summer 2021 and has offered incentives such as paid time-off and $500 credits towards health benefit premiums. In partnership with local nonprofits, Bank of America has also distributed more than 40.5 million masks, nearly 43,000 cases of hand sanitizer and 12.2 million gloves in local communities as part of its ongoing efforts to address health-related disparities accelerated by the pandemic.
Nationally, the bank has donated nearly $150 million toward hunger relief efforts since 2015.