Brandford Davis, Executive Director of John Hope Settlement House, holds grocery and Amazon gift cards totaling $2,600 that were distributed to families at JHSH as part of WBNA’s giving campaign
In its 6th year, our Live Local, Give Local campaign broke all previous giving records, raising over $14,000 in donations that were given directly back to neighbors in need.
Amazon and grocery gift cards were distributed in November and December to our closest neighbors and families at three of our neighborhood schools, John Hope Settlement House, Federal Hill House, West End Community Center, and Wiggin Village, as well as individual neighbors and families.
WBNA is grateful to have served as a conduit and catalyst for this record-setting amount of neighborhood giving, but credit must go largely to YOU our neighbors who gave, as well as to our steadfast sponsors. Sponsorship dollars that typically go towards our annual fundraiser were redirected this year to benefit neighbors in need. And the impact was remarkable.
LOCAL GIVING, LOCAL IMPACT
With expanded giving, we grew our capacity to help more neighbors. For the first time ever, increased Live Local, Give Local donations allowed us to distribute TWO rounds of grocery gift cards – one each in November and December
Over $14,000 raised (more than 14x what we typically raise in gift cards) – 100% of these funds went directly to neighbors and families at:
Asa Messer & Carl Lauro Elementary Schools, and West Broadway Middle School: 375 grocery gift cards distributed to families = $7,500
John Hope Settlement House: 80 grocery gift cards & 50 Amazon gift cards = $2,600
Federal Hill House: 80 grocery gift cards & 25 Amazon gift cards = $2,100
West End Community Center: 26 grocery gift cards & 25 Amazon gift cards = $1,020. PLUS 70 high quality educational toys donated, as well (thank you to our friends at All Saints Memorial Church)
Wiggin Village: Total of 70 grocery gift cards = $1,400
PLUS tens of additional grocery gift cards given to individual neighbors and families
A new Live Local, Give Local lottery sponsored by Aramark also helped support local businesses
We thank Aramark for donating the funds that supported our Live Local, Give Local lottery that in turn supported our local restaurants! Every person who donated a gift card was entered into the drawing, the winners of which are… Kiri Miller, Lisa Pegnato, Ina Anderson, Richard Jardon, Terry Snook, Steven Levine, Melinda Stylos-Allan, and All Saints Memorial Church.
Winners chose gift cards to local businesses such Nicks on Broadway, Big King, Broadway Bistro, Crepe Corner, and White Electric. Two winners regifted their cards to benefit CrossRoads RI.
We thank everyone who took part in this effort. Feedback from organizations and families receiving gift cards has been extremely positive. To all who gave during this particularly life-challenging year, know that your gifts made a difference in the lives of hundreds of neighbors.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our donors and to our Give Local sponsors, who grew our 2020 giving capacity exponentially! If you are in a position to do so, please support the businesses below whenever you can.
