Foundation and Auxiliary Team Up to Provide Meals for Hospital Staff

New Britain, Conn., January 27, 2022 – Since the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain and The Hospital of Central Connecticut Auxiliary at New Britain General have supported our area’s healthcare heroes wherever possible. In early 2020, the Community Foundation led an effort to raise more than $52,000 and recruit a team of volunteers to assemble and distribute 22,000 face shields with the expertise of local manufacturer OKAY Industries. Following all appropriate health precautions, the Auxiliary continued to volunteer in the hospital, provide critical support, offer scholarships, raise funds in its gift shops and golf tournament, and offer a meal or treats to staff from time to time. The Auxiliary donated over 1,000 boxed lunches to the New Britain General Campus staff and the Cancer Center staff at the height of the pandemic. Additionally, they donated $25,000 to the hospital’s COVID Relief Fund.

Realizing that the latest wave of the Omicron variant was putting a tremendous strain on the healthcare staff and facilities, the two organizations collaborated with the Hospital and this past Wednesday they provided pizza meals to the entire staff of the New Britain General Campus. The complimentary meal was offered at both lunch and later in the day during dinner so that multiple shifts of staff would be able to enjoy the meal.

Additionally, the Community Foundation provided funding so that the staff of the Hospital of Central Connecticut Bradley Memorial Campus in Southington would be offered the pizza lunch and dinner on that same day. In both locations, a local pizza business was contracted to supply the pizza.

“We have immense gratitude for the continuing support of these two organizations,” said Leslie Cifone, Director of Philanthropy and Volunteer Services at The Hospital of Central Connecticut. “Gestures of kindness like this mean the world to our colleagues. They are working hard to care for our patients during such an unprecedented time. Since the start of the pandemic, the support we’ve seen from our communities has been overwhelming, and there’s no way to truly put into words how appreciative we are for all the recognition and acts of kindness.”

Auxiliary President Annette Salina and Community Foundation President David Obedzinski were on hand at the New Britain campus for lunch that day and several of the staff thanked them and their organizations for the meal. Some staff were carrying multiple pizza boxes back to their units for the staff who could not leave their patients to visit the cafeteria.

“Obviously this pandemic has been a long, difficult experience, especially for those who care for the sick and injured. Both of our organizations are very appreciative of the community for their support, year-round, which allows us to do what we can for our healthcare heroes,” said Dave Obedzinski.

The Hospital of Central Connecticut Auxiliary at New Britain General, founded in 1899, provides financial support and volunteer opportunities at the New Britain General campus. Learn more at https://thocc.org/about/auxiliary.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.