2nd Annual "Let's Drive Out Hunger" Program Provides 2-1 Match to Local Food Pantries and Banks
Arbella announced today the start of the second year of the Arbella Insurance Group Charitable Foundation "Let's Drive Out Hunger" program, a direct response from Arbella to the alarming growth in hunger in Massachusetts. The program will run from December 1 through the end of February 2010, encompassing both the holidays and the worst of New England's winter.
The program is designed to be a challenge grant, encouraging and supporting Arbella agents across the state as they give back to their community. It matches any and all Arbella agents' gifts to food pantries and food banks in their communities, and this year Arbella has expanded qualifying organizations to include homeless shelters. With a 2-1 match with up to a $500 Arbella Foundation contribution per agent, Arbella effectively triples the agents' donation to the organizations in their community. The total amount given by the Arbella Foundation will be entirely dependent on how many of Arbella's 400+ agents contribute and how much.
For 2009-2010, Arbella has included homeless shelters along with food banks and food pantries as eligible organizations. The downturn in the economy has had a cascading effect, causing many of these organizations to experience cuts to state funding, just at a time where demand for their services is at an all-time high.
"We have a long history of working to combat hunger, partnering with and supporting local food pantries and fantastic organizations like Project Bread," said John Donohue, Chairman and CEO of Arbella Insurance Group. "It's a primary mission of the Arbella Insurance Group Charitable Foundation. Our agents are throughout the Commonwealth and are incredibly active in their communities. By bundling our contribution with theirs, we increase their impact in their home community. And by making it a challenge grant, I hope we support and inspire our agents to do even more."
Last year's Drive Out Hunger program raised $75,000 and with 105 Arbella agents participating. Arbella hopes to beat that this year, with participation by more agents and increasing the overall total given to charity.
"Recent news reports say as many as half a million Massachusetts residents are going hungry, and many people give during the holiday season, but not again in the worst of the winter months, making January and February critical months," said Donohue. "Arbella agents are part of the backbone of communities throughout the Commonwealth, supporting countless charities and civic efforts, and we can think of no better way to maximize our contribution to these communities than to put our contribution behind our agents."
About Arbella Insurance Group
Established in 1988, the Arbella Insurance Group (www.arbella.com) is a company with over $600M in revenue with approximately $1B in assets, headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts.Arbella is a customer-focused regional property and casualty insurance company, providing personal and business insurance in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and business insurance in Rhode Island and New Hampshire.Arbella Insurance Group founded the Arbella Insurance Group Charitable Foundation in 2004.The mission of the Foundation is to engage in activities and to support not-for-profit organizations that have a significant positive impact on the people and communities served by Arbella.
Contacts:
For Arbella Insurance Group
Justine Griffin, 617-443-9933 x342 (o)
