United Way of Southeastern Connecticut has announced a round of capacity building grants to increase effectiveness of Member Agencies of the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Bank, which is operated by United Way. The series of grants was made possible through a two-year grant from Wells Fargo to address food insecurity across the country.
This funding opportunity for Member Agencies supports local Emergency Food System programs and investing in their effectiveness and sustainability, technology, storage capacity, developing new skills and competencies, improving processes, or infrastructure and capital equipment. All funds must increase the organization’s capacity to impact the lives of those they serve and align with United Way’s strategic goal to eliminate food insecurity in the region.
A Volunteer Grant Review Team was assembled to review the applications, and the grants listed below were approved for funding.
The following food pantries were approved:
- Alliance for Living, Inc. for freezers, refrigerator, and storage - $4,957;
- Community Outreach Center for training, refrigerator, and laptop and software - $7,180;
- El Shaddai Worship Center, Inc. for a freezer, refrigerator, and storage - $5,000;
- Ledyard Social Services for a freezer - $950;
- Montville Union Baptist Church a refrigerator - $5,099;
- Riverfront Children’s Center for a refrigerator and storage - $1,945; and
- Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries, Inc. for storage shed and shopping carts - $5,247
The following grants were approved for community meals sites:
- Groton Community Meals for a freezer and refrigerator - $5,138 and
- St. Vincent DePaul Place, Norwich for dishwashing eaquipment - $5,000.
