In partnership with 41 local Rotary Clubs and the Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC), Liberty Bank announced today that over $917,000 was raised during its 19^th Annual Thanksgiving Drive. This will help ensure that more families in the areas served by the Bank have a Thanksgiving feast to enjoy this Thursday.

The total amount raised encompasses $250,000 in matching funds provided by Liberty Bank Foundation, including a $2,000 bump in funding provided to each participating Club to support even more families in need this holiday season. The Drive was promoted individually by each Club and in all 56 Liberty Bank branches. Donations were collected by mail and online through the Community Foundation of Middlesex County’s website.

“Every community has families who are struggling to put food on the table. With the leadership of our local Rotarians and their ‘Service Above Self’ motto, the Community Foundation of Middlesex County and our generous community, we are able to give more deserving families a wonderful holiday to remember as they sit down to enjoy a delicious meal,” said David W. Glidden, President & CEO of Liberty Bank and President of the Liberty Bank Foundation.

“Our 19^th Annual Thanksgiving Drive was delivered with the same Be Community Kind spirit our teammates and Rotarians have always exhibited since its inception. This is a tradition we look forward to being a part of every year and we are beyond thankful for this strong partnership that benefits the lives of so many as we work together to end hunger.”

Beginning in 2004, local Rotary Clubs, Liberty Bank and their new partner in 2022, CFMC, have raised nearly $6 million to supply warm holiday meals to families. Each year, the goal is also to stock food pantry shelves with enough food in preparation for the long winter months.

“At the CFMC, we know that by working together so much more can be achieved. We believe that partnerships are key to this success and we are so pleased to partner with not only Liberty Bank Foundation, but also the Rotary Clubs that participated in this incredible Thanksgiving project,” said Cynthia H. Clegg, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Middlesex County.

“We are so grateful for the generosity, and feel so fortunate to have such dedicated and kind individuals in our area who want to pitch in. We are truly humbled to play a small part in helping all of our friends and neighbors enjoy this wonderful holiday.”

The following Rotary Clubs are participating in the 2022 Liberty Bank/Rotary Club Thanksgiving Dinner Drive: Ansonia/Seymour/Oxford, Branford, Bristol, Cheshire, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, Derby/Shelton, East Hampton, East Hartford, Essex, Groton, Hamden, Hartford, Kensington/Berlin, Ledyard, Madison, Meriden, Middletown, Montville, Mystic/Stonington, Naugatuck, New Britain, New London, Newington, Niantic, North Branford, North Haven, Norwich, Old Saybrook, Plainville, Simsbury/Granby, Southington, Wallingford, Waterbury, Waterford, West Hartford, Wethersfield/Rocky Hill, Willimantic, and the East Haddam Community Lions Club.  

About Liberty Bank Foundation

Since its inception in 1997, the Liberty Bank Foundation has awarded over $15 million in grants to nonprofit organizations within Liberty Bank’s market area. The foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for people of low or moderate income by investing in three areas:  education to promote economic success for children and families; affordable housing; and nonprofit capacity building. 

About Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC)

Community Foundation of Middlesex County’s mission is to improve the quality of life for the people of the County now and in the future by developing endowments, making grants that have impact, and assisting donors in meeting their philanthropic objectives.

About Rotary: Service Above Self

Rotary is a global network of more than 1.2 million volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.  There are 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.  As signified by the motto “Service Above Self,” Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world.