Bristol County Savings Announces $100,000 Grant to Combat Food Insecurity Heightened by Gov. Shutdown
Bristol County Savings Bank Awards Grants Totaling $100,000 to Combat Food Insecurity Crisis Heightened by Government Shutdown
Bristol County Savings Bank, through its Foundation, has awarded grants totaling $100,000 to four area non-profit organizations in response to the food insecurity crisis exacerbated by the federal government shutdown. Since the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation was formed in 1996, more than $36 million has been committed to hundreds of different non-profits in the communities the Bank serves. In 2024 alone, the Foundation awarded a record $2.9 million to various 501(c)(3) organizations.
The Bank identified the United Way of Massachusetts Bay (Taunton-Attleboro), United Way of Greater New Bedford, United Way of Greater Fall River and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank in Providence as recipients of the $25,000 donations. The funds will be used for the purchase and distribution of food to those households in the local area who are in need.
“The federal government shutdown has compounded the food insecurity crises due in part to uncertainty around the funding of SNAP benefits,” said John Silva, President and CEO of Bristol County Savings Bank and President of the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation. “We need to come together as a community with our partner agencies and do our part to ensure no family in the region goes to bed hungry.” Silva added that the Bank will also be expanding opportunities for its employees to volunteer at local food distribution centers and pantries and plans to offer its branch offices as sites for its customers to drop off donations of food.
“The way this community has come together to support our neighbors in this time of crisis is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Melissa Cherney, CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “I’m so grateful to Bristol County Savings Bank, and to all of the local organizations that have stepped up to help put food on the tables of the families and individuals who so desperately need it.”
Bristol County Savings Bank is an active supporter in the communities in which it serves. The Foundation was established in 1996 as part of the Bank’s 150th Anniversary celebration. Its purpose is to fund needs that contribute to the economic and the social well-being of the people and institutions located in the greater Taunton/Attleboro region, the greater New Bedford/Dartmouth region, the greater Fall River region and greater Providence, Rhode Island region, with particular emphasis in the areas of education and literacy, economic development and housing for the low- to moderate-income population.
Bristol County Savings Bank Background Information: Bristol County Savings Bank, a Massachusetts chartered bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of Beacon Bancorp, is a full-service banking institution with approximately $3.1 billion in assets. Founded in 1846, the Bank serves individuals, businesses, municipalities, and non-profit organizations throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The Bank’s Main Office and Corporate Headquarters are located on Broadway in Taunton, Massachusetts. For more information on Bristol County Savings Bank, visit www.bristolcountysavings.com
