100,000 Families Will Benefit Due to Generosity of Bank Customers

There is a government shutdown and organizations such as food pantries have felt the impact, but a local bank and its customers are trying to make a difference and lessen the impact on those affected.  

The Connecticut Food Bank, headquartered in East Haven, has received donated food items to feed many needy families. The food came from the generosity of the bank's customers during its "Customer Experience Week." 

"It's one of the ways that businesses are attempting to be good civic partners in lieu of the continued shutdown and the impact it's having on food pantries," noted Andy Hoglund of the public relations firm Rasky Baerlein. 

The bags of food pictured in the photo are some of the hundreds distributed to parents whose children normally participate in the Head Start program, added Hoglund. 

A message from the bank:

RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc. marked the beginning of international Customer Service Week by announcing the donation of meals for 100,000 families in honor of the customers of Citizens Bank, Charter One and RBS Citizens. 

The donations come as part of the bank’s broader “Customer Experience Week” initiative – timed to coincide with international Customer Service Week, Customer Experience Week is focused on thanking customers and recognizing colleagues for their commitment to customers. 

“Serving our customers well is at the center of our culture as a company,” said Bruce Van Saun, Chairman and CEO of RBS Citizens Financial Group. “We are committed to their well-being, and to the well-being of the communities we serve. With the holiday season fast approaching, this donation to feed 100,000 families in need is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the communities and customers we serve every day.” 

The food banks receiving donations during Customer Experience Week include: 

-       Connecticut – Connecticut Food Bank

-       Illinois – Northern Illinois Food Bank

-       Massachusetts – Greater Boston Food Bank

-       Michigan – Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan

-       New Hampshire – New Hampshire Food Bank

-       New York – The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY, Food Bank of Western NY, Food Bank of Central NY, Food Bank of Southern Tier, The Food Bank for Westchester, Foodlink (Rochester)

-       Ohio – Cleveland Foodbank

-       Pennsylvania – Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

-       Rhode Island – Rhode Island Community Food Bank

-       Vermont – Vermont Foodbank