In March, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation announced $1.25 million in emergency grant funding for organizations on the frontlines of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Through these grants, more than one hundred local health- and hunger-relief organizations are receiving critical funding. We’re shining a spotlight on two of the grantees that are keeping their communities fed during this crisis.
La Casa de Amistad Ramps Up Food Distribution for South Bend Latino Community
La Casa de Amistad is a community center in South Bend, Ind., with a mission to empower the local Latino and Hispanic communities by providing educational, cultural and advocacy services. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the organization is offering a variety of virtual programs while continuing to operate its food bank for community members. Over the past few weeks, the center started seeing an extreme increase in the demand for food.
Sam Centellas, Executive Director of La Casa de Amistad, heard about the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s emergency grants and applied immediately. Within 24 hours, he had a check in hand. “The grant made it possible for us to immediately purchase supplies and pack boxes with food and hygiene products for 128 families,” said Centellas.
Building Audacity Delivers Food to Greater Boston Students in Need
Founded with the purpose of increasing youth power, Boston area organization Building Audacity, switched gears in the face of the pandemic to supply critical meals to students with limited access to food.
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation provided Building Audacity with an emergency grant to reach more kids with food and vital supplies like hygiene products. With the grant, CEO and Founder, Nakia Navarro, was able to make more food and supply purchases as well as hire employees to help facilitate deliveries. “Our grant arrived so quickly that we were able to put it to work right away,” said Navarro. Building Audacity is now delivering 1,120 meals and other supplies to students in the Boston area.
You can help support organizations like La Casa de Amistad and Building Audacity by donating to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s COVID-19 relief fund on our website at www.joyinchildhoodfoundation.org.
Dunkin’ has donated more than 40,000 gift cards to those on the frontlines of the coronavirus response at more than 170 organizations and counting. Let’s keep going. Want to thank a local hero for all that they do? Send them a Dunkin’ Gift Card at DunkinCoffeeBreak.com. For every card sent, Dunkin’ will donate $1, up to $100,000, to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation emergency funds specifically for non-profits helping families affected by COVID-19. Stay informed on our response to COVID-19 here and follow the stories of how our Dunkin’ community is coming together to keep America running here.
What acts of kindness have you seen in your local community? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
To stay up to date on all things Dunkin’, sign up for our email news alerts at news.dunkindonuts.com/alerts.
