Fifth Third Commits $75,000 to Address Effects of COVID-19 in Toledo
2 nonprofits receive funds to help with emergency efforts
TOLEDO, Ohio, May 8, 2020 /3BL Media/ – The Fifth Third Foundation today announced a $75,000 philanthropic commitment to help address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Toledo. The funds from the Fifth Third Foundation have been deployed to meet the immediate needs of individuals in the community that seek assistance from Connecting Kids to Meals and Mobile Meals of Toledo, Inc.
“We are making this $75,000 philanthropic commitment to support our community partners who need additional resources to deal with the strain and stress of the increased needs due to the crisis,” said Bob LaClair, regional president of Fifth Third Bank. “This pandemic is impacting all segments of the population, especially the most vulnerable members of our communities who may be disproportionately affected by current events.”
LaClair commends the two organizations for their extraordinary commitment and exceptional work to benefit the local community. With the Fifth Third Foundation’s donation, Connecting Kids to Meals will be able to provide hot, nutritious meals at no cost to children in low-income and underserved areas in this challenging time.
“Connecting Kids to Meals is beyond grateful for the extreme generosity of our long-time partners, Fifth Third Foundation and Fifth Third Bank,” said Wendi Huntley, president of Connecting Kids to Meals. “This $50,000 contribution, along with other support, helps to ease tensions about our operations, much like we help to reduce stress for thousands of kids and their families in our area by offering free, healthy meals.”
Mobile Meals of Toledo received $25,000 to cover food, preparation and delivery costs of meals to seniors. The $25,000 gift will provide 59 seniors with two meals per day, seven days a week, for one month, at no cost to the senior. “We are so grateful for this generous gift from the Fifth Third Foundation during these unprecedented times,” said Maureen Stevens, executive director of Mobile Meals of Toledo, Inc. “Fifth Third’s desire to help feed our seniors is an example of their commitment to our community. We are fortunate to have their support.”
The Toledo donations are part of a larger philanthropic pledge of funding across the Fifth Third Bank footprint. On March 20, the Bank announced an $8.75 million philanthropic commitment to help address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that is being funded by the Fifth Third Foundation and the Fifth Third Chicagoland Foundation to meet the immediate and long-term needs of the communities served by Fifth Third Bank. Among the areas to be funded:
Relief Funds:
- $3.25 million for COVID-19 response needs in the regions served by Fifth Third Bank.
Recovery & Resiliency Funds:
- $5.5 million in Strengthening our Communities Fund grants to support the long-term sustainability of our economy. This includes funding to support small businesses, affordable housing and homeownership, and economic development.
This $8.75 million commitment of philanthropic funds are in addition to actions already taken by Fifth Third Bank to immediately assist customers in the wake of the pandemic. For information, visit www.53.com/covid19.
“It is our responsibility and commitment to work with community partners and non-profit organizations to help see our communities through the coming stages of relief, recovery and resiliency. We will navigate this together,” said Greg D. Carmichael, chairman, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank.
About the Fifth Third Foundation
Established in 1948, the Fifth Third Foundation was one of the first charitable foundations created by a financial institution. The Fifth Third Foundation supports worthy causes in the areas of health and human services, education, community development and the arts in the states where Fifth Third Bank operates.
