Community Dining Room Gets $10K Dunkin' Foundation Grant

BRANFORD, CT — Saying the money may help with the "pressing" need for food in the community, The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation delivered a $10,000 grant check to the Community Dining Room Monday.

For 35 years, the Community Dining Room says its mission has been to "end hunger and isolation with food, fellowship, referrals and education."

Committed to serving the community by feeding the hungry and helping with other basic human needs, it also strives to promote public awareness of the impact of hunger and isolation in our society.

"We are dedicated to helping our guests with their practical needs through referrals and fellowship," its Facebook page explains.

The Community Dining Room serves the south-central Connecticut shoreline from East Haven to Old Saybrook including the towns of East Haven, Branford, North Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook, and Old Saybrook.

The Dunkin' grants are part of two rounds of funding the Foundation has executed nationally during the COVID-19 pandemic, including $1 million in emergency hunger relief grants and $500 thousand in annual health and hunger relief grants.

These grants are part of a commitment by Dunkin’, Dunkin’s Foundation and Dunkin’ franchisees to provide health and hunger organizations with the support they need, as many are seeing a significant increase in the volume of people they serve and are facing unprecedented and costly challenges in the wake of the pandemic. The grant will be used to expand services to the organization’s Tuesday Family Dining Program.

This latest round of funding follows closely on the heels of the Foundation's $1.25 million in grants distributed in March to support health and hunger relief organizations during the early days of the pandemic. With these newest grants, the Foundation will be focusing on non-profit organizations dedicated to the support of underserved communities that have been the hardest hit, with Dunkin’ franchisees and restaurant crew members helping to select organizations in their communities to receive the funding.

Recently, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation also announced the “Give Cheer” program to bring joy to children battling hunger or illness during the holidays. Beginning November 4 through December 2, guests who visit a Dunkin’ restaurant or drive-thru can donate $1 to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. In return, guests who donate in store will receive a coupon for $1 off a dozen donuts, valid through 12/31/20. For the first time, guests can also donate through the Dunkin’ App when placing a mobile order at a participating Dunkin’ restaurant. See here for more information.

In 2020, the Joy in Childhood Foundation will grant more than $4 million and has granted over $26 million since its inception. To learn more about the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation visit https://www.bringjoy.org/.

About the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation

The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by Dunkin’ and the generosity of its franchisees, guests, vendor partners and employees, provides the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. The Foundation partners with food banks, children’s hospitals and nonprofit organizations to fund joyful environments and joyful experiences for kids when they need it most. Since 2006, the Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $26 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country. For more information, please visit www.bringjoy.org.