CT Food Bank recognizes donors

WALLINGFORD — The Connecticut Food Bank recognized donors from the business, education, and private sectors recently, presenting awards in six categories to donors demonstrating long-time commitment and high levels of engagement. The awards were presented at a reception held at the food bank on Oct. 18.

Paul and Sandra Linton of Madison received the Harvest Club Award, recognizing their long-standing sustaining gifts to the Connecticut Food Bank. Donors for more than 30 years and monthly givers for 27 of those years, the Lintons have given an “astonishing 295 gifts to the food bank,” Beaudreau said. He noted they have also supported the annual Walk Against Hunger. “You’re an inspiration to us and to other donors because of your tremendous commitment to helping neighbors in need,” Beaudreau said as he presented the award.

The Corporate Impact Award was presented to Stop & Shop for its “significant and ongoing support of the Connecticut Food Bank through food drives, corporate food donations, store-based charitable giving campaigns, and their founding support of the GROW! Up With Good Nutrition program,” Beaudreau said, noting that Stop & Shop has donated “millions of dollars and millions of pounds of food” and that employees have volunteered at food bank activities and participated in special events such as the Golden Scoop Corporate Championship.

The Distinguished Philanthropic Award in Schools was presented for the second year in a row to the Hopkins School in New Haven. Students from Hopkins have raised more than $457,000 for the Connecticut Food Bank since 1998. Students host special events, and volunteer at Connecticut Food Bank food and fund drives. Hopkins students volunteer regularly at the food bank, sorting food for distribution. And in the last year, 80 Hopkins students have participated in Hunger 101 experiential learning programs. “Hopkins students embody the spirit of philanthropy,” said Connecticut Food Bank CEO Bernie Beaudreau in presenting the award to Hopkins. “I am sure these students will continue the giving spirit they have cultivated here as they move through life, making great contributions to a better world.”

The Commitment and Service Award was presented to KeyBank and to James Trimble, a New Haven resident and volunteer of long standing with the Connecticut Food Bank. Trimble is employed at KeyBank and has recently partnered with the bank to expand his personal “SuperSize-Me” Food Drive to a KeyBank project. Since beginning his food drive in the wake of Super Storm Sandy in 2012, Trimble has raised more than 3,600 pounds of food and more than $11,400 to support the Connecticut Food Bank. Trimble volunteers with the food bank at every opportunity, helping to sort food and joining other volunteers at special events throughout the year.

Beaudreau noted that last year KeyBank, where Trimble works, became a sponsor of the food drive, expanding it to nine bank branches. “This year, KeyBank plans to expand the drive to 25 KeyBank branches across Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.” Beaudreau noted that last year marked the first of a multiyear grant commitment from KeyBank to support Connecticut Food Bank programs and food distribution. In recognition of that partnership, KeyBank sponsors a refrigerated truck bearing the KeyBank logo, which makes deliveries to the Connecticut Food Bank network across six counties of the state.