As part of its customer appreciation week, RBS Citizens Financial Group Inc. in Providence, R.I. will donate meals to 16 food banks across the country, including the Food Bank for Westchester and the Connecticut Food Bank in Fairfield County.
The Food Bank for Westchester will receive $2,000 in donations, which translates to 4,819 meals for hungry residents in the county, said Ellen Lynch, Food Bank executive director.
“We are thrilled with this unexpected donation from Citizens Bank , especially during this time of uncertainty,” said Lynch. “With this $2,000 donation, the Food Bank can acquire $8,000Â worth of food.”
Connecticut Food Bank will receive $4,000 in donations, which translates to 9,600 meals, meaning every dollar is stretched to provide about two meals.
“We have seen a steady increase in the number of people who are turning to the food assistance network for help especially with unemployment being 8.1 percent in Connecticut and 7.3 nationally,” said Mary Ingarra, communications director at Connecticut Food Bank. “In a state like Connecticut, it’s difficult for families to make ends meet. People make choices every day between food and paying bills so this will go a  long way to help people.”
The bank will serve 100,000 families to thank its customers at Citizens Bank, Charter One and RBS Citizens for their business.
“Serving our customers well is at the center of our culture as a company,” said Bruce Van Saun, chairman and CEO of RBS Citizens Financial Group, “We are committed to their well-being and to the well-being of the communities we serve. With the holiday season fast approaching, this donation to feed 100,000 families in need is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the communities and the customers we serve every day.”
The donations are part of the bank’s larger initiative called Customer Experience Week, which coincides with the international Customer Service Week.
