THOMASTON — In response to the ongoing needs of service organizations that help needy families aind individuals, Thomaston Savings Bank has launched the Community Kitchen Project.
According to the bank, the Community Kitchen Project pairs a selection of the bank’s restaurant customers with area crisis intervention and food security organizations in their community. The bank will purchase meals from the restaurants, which will prepare and deliver the food to the selected organization. This gives their restaurants some welcomed business while helping to ensure the selected non-profits are able to feed their guests.
“We are excited by the impact Thomaston Savings Bank will make with the Community Kitchen Project,” said bank president and CEO Stephen L. Lewis, in a statement. “The bank is grateful to be in a position to fund meals for those most in need, on such a large scale, while simultaneously generating business for the participating restaurants during an incredibly difficult time for their industry
Lewis said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for individuals, families and businesses. “While everyone is feeling this impact at some level, the restaurant industry has been hit especially hard as they struggle to operate under limited capacities, shortened hours, and with communities hesitant to visit their establishments out of fear of the virus’ reach,” he said. “Crisis intervention centers and organizations addressing food security issues are certainly not immune to these struggles either, and as a direct result of the pandemic, the population they serve is growing. These organizations are doing what they can with their limited resources and capacity restrictions to assist all those who need their services, but are bearing a heavy burden to do so and frequently falling short.”
The Community Kitchen Project began Feb. 15 and continues through March 24. The bank estimates it will provide more than 5,800 meals to nine agencies, including Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries, Community Soup Kitchen of Torrington, the Prudence Crandall Center, Brian’s Angels Homeless Outreach, Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury Shelter, FISH/ Friends in Service to Humanity in Torrington, Susan B. Anthony Project – Torrington, and St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Bristol.
Restaurants include Emily’s Catering Group, LLC, 150 Central, LLC, The Goose & The Gander, Inc., and Patti’s Place, LLC. To learn more, visit ThomastonSB.com.