Dime News

Dime Bank Foundation provides $5,000 in funding for F.R.E.S.H. New London

News Release - July 31, 2008

(New London, CT) - Do you believe that access to affordable, nutritious, and responsibly produced food is a human right? F.R.E.S.H. New London (Food: Resources, Education, Security and Health New London) does and Dime Bank Foundation is pleased to provide $5,000 in funding for this dynamic and insightful non-profit organization. Not only does F.R.E.S.H. provide organically grown food, they host programs which train and employ New London youth. These youth serve as crew members and leaders to increase access to healthy food in New London. They also educate children and their families about issues of diet, nutrition, environmental stewardship and health.

"The grant from The Dime Foundation supports our mobile market projects," said Arthur Lerner, director of Operations at F.R.E.S.H. "The youth grow the food, harvest it, and sell it affordably throughout the city of New London. The children see themselves as agents of change, and see how their own hands can produce something. Our produce is being well received, especially with the cost of food and fuel on the rise."

The F.R.E.S.H. Crew is designed to aid teens with meaningful employment and educational opportunities. F.R.E.S.H. is comprised of 100% New London youth and is 16 members strong. "This program allows our youth the opportunity to become health advocates within our neighborhoods. We are proud to be associated with this innovative program," says Cheryl Calderado, Secretary of Dime Bank Foundation.

F.R.E.S.H New London is dedicated to serving residents that are least served by current distribution methods because they are low income, elderly, living with HIV/AIDS or otherwise suffering from chronic disease. Just as important F.R.E.S.H. is working with children to increase their awareness of issues in health, diet and nutrition. Through this the F.R.E.S.H. Crew, our youth can identify the connection between their health and more general environmental health.

About Dime Bank Foundation
In 1998, Dime Bank established The Dime Foundation, enabling the bank to support and give back to the communities it serves, providing funding for charitable, cultural, literary, scientific and educational non-profit organizations. In its first year, more than $50 thousand was distributed. Each year thereafter, the number and amount of grants has increased. In 2007, over $165,000 was disbursed to 47 different organizations. The foundation accepts applications on a year-round basis. The board reviews requests quarterly. For more information on Dime Bank, please visit us at www.dime-bank.com and click on the Foundation link.

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