Knights of Columbus Donates $170,000 to Connecticut Charities During Christmas Season

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Dec. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A local veteran and his family will soon receive a new home, the Connecticut Food Bank will be able to serve tens of thousands more meals, and various New Haven charities will close the year better equipped to serve the community, thanks to $170,000 of Christmastime donations from the Knights of Columbus.

"Since many people in our community are struggling with hunger and the lack of other resources," said Knights CEO Carl Anderson, "the Knights of Columbus is pleased to support the wonderful work of our neighbor organizations as they demonstrate the spirit and meaning of Christmas." 

With nearly 2 million members, the Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization. In 2015, the Knights set a new record for charitable giving with donations of more than $175 million and 73.5 million hours of volunteer service.

Locally, Knights recently provided $75,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven for the construction of a brand new home for a local veteran and his family.

"We deeply appreciate the Knights of Columbus' desire to bring lasting change to our community and to help veterans in need obtain safe and affordable home ownership," said William Casey, Habitat's local executive director. "The Knights invest an extraordinary amount of funding and volunteer labor into charity projects across the world and in our local community as well."

With its origins and international headquarters located in New Haven, the Knights of Columbus has supported Connecticut Food Bank substantially in past years. K of C employees also assist the food bank through various fundraising and volunteer endeavors.

"The timing of this generous gift was perfect," said Connecticut Food Bank CEO Bernie Beaudreau. "The $20,000 donation enables us to share this holiday with so many people in need and will provide us important sustenance as we move through the winter season."

The Wallingford-based Connecticut Food Bank's extensive network sees an average of 150,000 visits each month from people seeking assistance to meet basic food needs.

Other charity efforts in the area that received support from the Knights this year, for a total of $75,000, include: the Day of Joy, an initiative of His Divine Fellowship ministry; the Coats for Kids "Black Friday" program, in coordination with the Connecticut Knights of Columbus; the Salvation Army; St. Ann Soup Kitchen; Connecticut Hospice, Inc.; Farnam Neighborhood House; Christian Community Action; Community Soup Kitchen; Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry; St. Luke's Lunch for Women & Children; St. Thomas More Soup Kitchen; Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church; Beacon on the Hill; Caring Cuisine; the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen; Life Haven; the Community Dining Room; Columbus House; and the Mary Wade Home.

For more information on the Knights' charitable activities, visit kofc.org or follow the Knights of Columbus on Facebook and Twitter at @kofc.

SOURCE Knights of Columbus

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