The Arbella Insurance Foundation has raised nearly $200,000 for its annual “Let’s Drive Out Hunger” campaign, which supports food insecurity programs across New England. This year, the Foundation continued to invite Arbella Insurance Group (“Arbella”) employees to participate in the campaign along with Arbella Insurance Group independent agents. In total, the Foundation in partnership with Arbella agents and employees has raised more than $1.9M over the last 15 years.
“Despite gallant efforts, hunger continues to affect thousands of families in New England and shows no sign of slowing. Our employees and agents demonstrate unwavering generosity and commitment towards giving back to their local communities, which serves as a testament to the values and principles that Arbella upholds,” said John Donohue, chairman, president and CEO of the Arbella Insurance Group and chairman of the Arbella Insurance Foundation. “We are honored to partner with our agents and employees in support of their charitable giving, and we are proud to see the positive impact of our commitment to fighting hunger.”
The campaign centers on a matching gift program in which the Foundation matches donations made by Arbella independent agents and employees, on a two-to-one basis, up to $1,500 per agency and employee. From November 1, 2022, through February 28, 2023, together with a matching Foundation donation, Arbella independent insurance agents raised more than $161,000, and Arbella employees and Board members raised nearly $38,000 for local food pantries, soup kitchens and food programs in communities across New England.
“I want to thank the Foundation for their donation that will support all of Merrimack Valley Food Bank’s programs as we work to ensure that nobody in our community goes to bed hungry,” said Debbie Callery, Executive Director of Merrimack Valley Food Bank. “It is caring people such as everyone in the Foundation that enable us to continue serving those who need a helping hand, and we are incredibly thankful for the Foundation’s continued support and generosity.”
Let’s Drive Out Hunger empowers Arbella’s independent insurance agents to select food programs in their own communities that they want to support. 123 food pantries across New England received donations this year, including Northampton Survival Center in Northampton, MA, Women’s Lunch Place in Boston, MA and Connecticut Foodshare in Wallingford, CT.
While advocacy for hunger relief has successfully reduced the number of people and communities in need, there is still work to be done. According to a recent study, at least 1.8 million people, or 32 percent of the state’s adult population, are facing hunger in Massachusetts.
“Food insecurity tugs at the heart strings for many Arbella employees. I want to express my gratitude to the Foundation for its incredible hunger relief efforts. Their ongoing assistance has allowed me to make a meaningful difference in the New England communities I am passionate about,” said Elizabeth Misero, Director of Commercial Lines at Arbella Insurance. “I take great pride in working for a company that not only supports local charities but also stands behind causes that are close to our hearts.”
