Dunkin' Donuts Guests Help Donate 2,034 Pounds of Turkey to Branford Food Pantry

Thanks to the generous donations of the Guilford, Clinton and Killingworth communities, D’Andrea Group Dunkin’ Donuts was able to purchase 2,034 pounds of turkey for the Branford Food Pantry for this holiday season.

Guilford-based Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees Francesco D’Andrea and Nicole Ball delivered 166 birds to Branford Food Pantry President Wendy Cowels.

With the help of her team, Cowels stocked the freezer just in time for the holiday season. Branford Food Pantry will feed 500 families between Thanksgiving and Christmas and this large turkey donation has helped jump-start the pantry’s efforts.

Cowels was fearful the Pantry would not be able to provide all 500 needed turkeys this year due to a shortage of donations. The brother-sister franchisee team, with support from company founder, their dad, Frank D’Andrea, rallied their Dunkin’ Donuts guests together to answer the call.

From Nov. 1 to Nov. 7, all Dunkin’ Donuts in Guilford and Killingworth and one in Clinton, asked guests to purchase “Turkey Donuts.” For every turkey-decorated-doughnut purchased, D’Andrea Group bought one pound of turkey for the Branford Food Pantry. A dozen doughnuts provided one whole turkey for families in need.

“I was completely overwhelmed by the generosity of our guests,” said Ball. “Many regular customers came and purchased at least one doughnut every day to help us reach and exceed our goal of 2,000.”

“Our crew members and managers also enjoyed being part of the experience,” she added, “so while we got to help others, I think it helped us too.”

Francesco D’Andrea said he wasn’t surprised by the fundraising results. “Our guests have always been generous and supportive; whether it’s giving to the Dunkin’ Donuts Baskin-Robbin’s Community Foundation or helping local people in need.”

“I could not be prouder to be a small-business owner, than I am today,” D’Andrea added, “Being able to harness the power of our good fortune to help others – that’s what doing business in small towns is about.”

Earlier this year D’Andrea Group partnered with Nick Fradiani of American Idol to donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital; they supported a West Haven teen who underwent heart transplant surgery; and have provided thousands of donuts and cups of coffee to local charities in the Milford, West Haven, Guilford, Clinton and Killingworth communities where they do business. Their annual donation amount exceeds $20,000.

Learn more about D’Andrea Group: facebook.com/dandreagroup.