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(Leominster, Mass.)— Fidelity Bank today announced it has granted $15,000 to three local non-profits focused on food insecurity, personal hygiene and veterans outreach programs and services. The grants stem from an annual opportunity through the endowment fund for Fidelity Bank colleagues to nominate and vote for local nonprofits that are making a difference in the regions the Bank serves.
The donations were awarded to the following organizations:
Hope and Comfort (Needham) received a $5,000 donation to support the organization’s Hygiene Hub, the largest known hygiene bank in the country. The hub provides sustained access to hygiene essentials such as soap, toothpaste, deodorant, and menstrual products.
“Hygiene insecurity is tied to economic hardship, and individuals and families often prioritize other necessities like food and shelter over hygiene products,” said Kerry Carter, CEO, Hope and Comfort. “Through the generosity of Fidelity Bank, we will be able to purchase thousands of products which will provide people across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut with improved health, self-esteem, dignity and confidence.”
7th Annual PFC Keely Walsh Ride for Veterans (Clinton) received a $5,000 donation to support the memorial motorcycle ride with proceeds benefiting Clear Path for Veterans. The organization is a wellness-based Veteran’s Community Center to reconnect veterans to their communities upon their return home from deployment.
“Every year, the PFC Keely Walsh Ride for Veterans selects a local organization assisting veterans with wellness services, housing, food and other needs,” said Wanda Walsh, Keely’s mother. “This memorial ride honors all veterans, including my daughter, Keely. A member of the Army National Guard, she was killed in a single vehicle accident on her way to National Guard Drill in Belchertown on December 14, 2014. Through the generosity of Fidelity Bank, we are able to ensure all our veterans have access to the services they need and deserve now and in the future.”
Spanish American Center (Leominster) received a $5,000 donation to support the Center’s programs and services, such as afterschool activities, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, domestic violence support and counseling, legal advocacy clinics, online voter registration, elder referrals and advocacy, and a food pantry.
“We are in a crisis right now with our funding, especially in our food pantry,” said Neddy Latimer, executive director, Spanish American Center. “As our overall funding has decreased due to budget cuts across the country, this donation comes at such an important time and will allow us to continue offering meals and food to our clients. We are grateful to Fidelity Bank and their employees for selecting our organization with this generous donation as it will go a long way toward helping those who need it most.”
“As part of our LifeDesign brand promise, it’s our mission to provide care for our communities, and through our new Charitable Endowment Fund we can live our values and make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve,” said Towma Rastad, community engagement manager, Fidelity Bank. “The Spanish American Center, Hope for Comfort and PFC Keely Walsh Ride for Veterans are all pivotal to our community. We hope these donations will help them respond to the social, health, housing and hunger needs of the communities we serve.”