New Britain Organization Creates Disaster Relief Fund

Information via Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

BERLIN, CT — The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain wants to be prepared to respond appropriately to what the Berlin, New Britain, Plainville, and Southington communities may need during times of natural disaster when residents are displaced from their homes for an extended period and when emergency assistance from towns and other non-profits is limited. To meet this need, the CFGNB Community Initiatives Committee and Board of Directors established the Greater New Britain Disaster Response Fund in September.

Resources will be made available through local government Community Service Departments and crisis coordinators who will screen applicants and then request a grant from the Fund at the CFGNB. The Fund will consider requests to meet basic human needs for items such as food, clothing, household necessities, temporary housing needs, furniture and furnishings and repairs to make a home habitable. Funds may also be used to support individual municipalities for basic food and shelter expenses related to temporarily supporting multiple residents displaced due to a natural disaster. Natural disaster incidents include fire, flood, and other weather related emergencies.

Gifts can be made to the Fund prior to or in time of emergency; donations can be for general use or designated for use within a one of the four towns in our service area. Residents, businesses, organizations, fire, police or other emergency responders can also hold fundraisers to benefit their community through the Fund. The Fund was established with a $2,500 gift from Stanley Black & Decker with an additional $1,000 from the CFGNB and, most recently, $6,500 from the Schaller Auto World Fund at the Foundation.

“After learning more about the Foundation and its purpose, I feel that the Town of Berlin and the Foundation can be a great partnership. Having the ability to raise funds for the Foundation locally through community fundraisers and have those funds earmarked for use by the Town in the event of a natural disaster affecting the Town on a short or long term basis is a win/win for the Town of Berlin and the Foundation.” - Matt Odishoo, Berlin Emergency Management Director.

Individuals that inquire to access funds will be directed to the local Community Service offices from their town of residence as follows: New Britain Community Services 860-826-3360, Berlin Social and Youth Services 860-828-7059, Plainville Social Services Department 860-793-0221 ext. 294, Southington Community Services 860-628-3761.

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 effectively, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information or to support CFGNB’s work, visit www.cfgnb.org. Gifts to the Fund can be made at any time online at www.cfgnb.org/donate-now by clicking on the fund from the drop-down menu or by sending a check payable to “CFGNB Greater New Britain Disaster Response Fund” and mailing it to 74A Vine Street in New Britain, 06052.