Community Health & Wellness is “Driving Away Hunger” to Help the Community

Torrington, CT - Community Health & Wellness (CHW) has been in the front lines of caring for the community and responding to its needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of its dedicated efforts to address the health and wellbeing of the patient population while safeguarding the community and its staff, the center was awarded $25,000 by Union Savings Bank Foundation, Danbury, CT. 

"The pandemic has caused significant disruption throughout the community, with a large impact on our most vulnerable populations, which include homeless individuals, low-income families, and at-risk young children, adults, and the elderly,” says Joanne Borduas, CEO of CHW. “We are very grateful to Union Savings Bank Foundation for providing us with their generous gift, and will use the funds to help us continue to care for our patients and prepare for future needs. And as a community partner, we want to continue to pay it forward and give back where we can.”

Because food insecurity has become a major issue during this public health crisis, CHW has allocated some of the funds to host a “Driving Away Hunger” initiative at its 469 Migeon Avenue facility. On Wednesday, May 13th, from 3 pm to 5 pm, the center will provide 100 satchels of nonperishable food items to community members on a first come, first serve basis to help alleviate the stress of immediate food concerns. Residents in need are invited to drive through or walk to the parking lot, and CHW staff will give each family or individual a satchel of food to take home.

“We wish to sincerely thank the helpful staff at BJ’s Wholesale Club as well as Big Y manager Tracy Lambertson and employees Devin Dzedzik and Lindsey Kulbash for assisting us with shopping for food provisions for our initiative,” says Borduas.

In addition, the center is giving a $500 donation to both the Friends in Service to Humanity/FISH shelter and New Beginnings to help lessen the burden of their unprecedented need.

Union Savings Bank Foundation’s donation will also be used to address the needs of CHW’s operations in the months ahead, as well as be earmarked for in-house initiatives that will reward employees for the sacrifices they made and long hours they worked.

“The greatness of our community is most accurately measured by the caring compassion of its members,” says Borduas. “Together, we can change things one helping hand at a time.”