This year marks the eighth annual “Let’s Drive Out Hunger” Campaign
The Arbella Insurance Foundation and its independent insurance agent partners raised over $158,000 dollars this year during its annual “Let’s Drive Out Hunger” campaign. The campaign encourages the insurers network of over 500 independent agents to donate to select food programs within their own communities. In return, Arbella matches those donation through a two-to-one matching program. This year, the Quincy-based insurer gave the program an “extra boost” by raising its match limit to $1000 per agency.
“Despite gallant efforts, hunger continues to affect thousands of families in New England and shows no sign of slowing,” said John Donohue, chairman and president of Arbella Insurance. “We’re honored to partner with our independent agents to identify and support essential organizations that help our neighbors in need. It’s our agents’ pro-activity and generosity that has made our Let’s Drive Out Hunger program so impactful.”
This year 117 food pantries throughout New England received donations from the program, including The Open Door in Gloucester, MA, Lower Cape Outreach Council in Orleans, MA, and the Open Pantry Community Services in Springfield, MA.
An increased participation by independent agents in 2016
This year saw an increased participation in the program by Arbella agents, up 18 percent from 2015. In total over 123 independent agents participated in this year’s campaign. Over the past eight years, the agents efforts in conjunction with the Arbella Foundation have raised almost $785,000 for local food pantries, soup kitchens and food programs for more than 100 New England communities. Arbella notes the importance of these contributions stating that “…for example, a $100 donation to Project Bread provides a week’s supply of groceries to five families, a rate that would turn $785,000 into a week’s worth of groceries for 39,250 Massachusetts families.”
“The Arbella Insurance Foundation’s concern and support for those who struggle with food insecurity is most welcome and much appreciated,” said Matt CastleMan, executive director of Open Pantry Community Services. “It is due to support like this from Arbella that Open Pantry is able to provide services to so many of our neighbors in need.”
Food insecurity continues to be a prevalent issue across the Bay State area. According to Project Bread’s 2015 Status Report on Hunger in Massachusetts, more than 255,000 households are food insecure. In 2014, 9.6 percent of Massachusetts households struggled at some point to provide food for their families. In some communities, seven in 10 households are living in poverty. Social service agencies statewide have noted that the need among low-income families is growing in many parts of the state, and in some cases exceeding levels seen during the recession.
Other initiatives from the Arbella Foundation
In addition to the “Let’s Drive Out Hunger” campaign, Arbella also leads several initiatives to fight hunger and increase access to nutritious food for families and individuals in Massachusetts. These include support for projects such as Father Bill’s & MainSpring, sponsorship of Interfaith Social Services and the Arbella Insurance Group’s employee participation in Project Bread’s annual Walk for Hunger.
About the Arbella Insurance Group and the Arbella Insurance Foundation
Established in 1988, the Arbella Insurance Group (www.arbella.com) is a company with more than $850 million in revenue with over $1 billion 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 Foundation in 2004. The mission of Arbella’s 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.
