Soul Food for A Cause

New Britain, Conn., May 13, 2021 – The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB) and My Wife Didn’t Cook collaborated earlier this month on a fundraiser to benefit the CFGNB Greater New Britain Disaster Response Fund (GNBDRF).

The Fund, established by the Foundation in 2019, makes resources available through local community service departments and meets the basic needs of residents from New Britain, Berlin, Plainville, and Southington displaced from their homes for an extended period due to a natural disaster such as fire, flood, and other weather related emergencies. Funding is intended to help residents get back to permanent housing as soon as possible.

In 2019 and 2020, grants totaling just over $2,700 from the GNBDRF supported four families and individuals who suffered loss due to apartment fires. Two additional grants totaling $1,500 have helped two New Britain families so far in 2021 with temporary housing, food, and assistance with the cost of relocation. According to Mallory Deprey, Community Service Director for the City of New Britain, “Funding from the CFGNB provides critical support to those who are in an unexpected and dire situation. We are grateful for this added resource to help local residents and proud to partner together.”

For the fundraiser, My Wife Didn’t Cook in both New Britain and Manchester donated 20% of sales ordered with the code word “foundation” to the Foundation’s Greater New Britain Disaster Response Fund, raising $219.60. Those who supported the event enjoyed delicious ribs, whiting, boneless wings and other delicious entrees and homemade side dishes including baked mac and cheese, collard greens and yams. Cash donations on the day of the event as well as a generous donation from Devione Tanksley, Owner of My Wife Didn’t Cook, helped the CFGNB get closer to its goal of $500 on the day of the event. Since the fundraiser, additional gifts have been made to surpass the goal.

Tanksley, who has supported other nonprofit fundraisers said, “Collaboration between small businesses and community programs is so important. Without continuous support from the community, it would be hard to survive so we try our best to give back to the community that supports us every chance we can. ”

Because there is always need for families facing incredible and unforeseen circumstances, the Foundation is asking the public to consider a donation to support the Disaster Response Fund. Gifts can be made online at www.cfgnb.org/donate-now by selecting the fund from the drop down menu. Checks are also accepted and can be sent to 74A Vine Street, New Britain, CT 06052.
If your business or restaurant would be interested in sponsoring a similar event, please contact Joeline Wruck at 860.229.6018, ex. 307 or jwruck@cfgnb.org. Organizations that want to partner with My Wife Didn’t Cook for an event can contact Deivone directly at (860) 259-6987.

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.