Fidelity Bank donates nearly $450G

LEOMINSTER » In an extraordinary year of challenge due to the pandemic, Fidelity Bank donated nearly $450,000 to more than 200 worthy organizations, events, and causes in several Central and Eastern Massachusetts communities in 2020 through its LifeDesign Community Dividend, which is money the bank sets aside for this purpose each year, according to an announcement by the bank.

The pandemic was a major focus of 2020 donations, with Fidelity Bank donating more than $100,000 to help various organizations support basic needs early in the pandemic through its Caring for Our Communities COVID-19 Response Grants and more than $50,000 in additional holiday support given to more than a dozen Massachusetts food pantries to help people affected by the pan

demic, according to the bank.

“Local nonprofits, organizations and small businesses have done heroic work helping our communities get through this difficult time,” said Fidelity Bank Chairman & CEO Edward F. Manzi Jr. “The LifeDesign Community Dividend allowed us to show our care and compassion for those in need during the pandemic.”

Other organizations sharing some $300,000 in contributions, that were not pandemic related, in 2020 included The SHINE Initiative, which Fidelity Bank founded in 2004 with input from its employees

to combat discrimination and destigmatize mental health conditions in children and young adults, as well as Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Needham Community Council, Quinsigamond Community College Foundation, City of Leominster Fund, March of Dimes, Heywood Healthcare, YWCA of Central Massachusetts, Hanover Theatre, and several causes promoted through Fidelity Bank’s weekly Caring Casual Fridays.

Fidelity Bank has given out approximately $2.5 million since the program was renamed in 2013.