Interfaith Human Services of Putnam

Jewett City Savings Bank’s charitable foundation has awarded grants totaling $32,500 to eight local food pantries.

The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation awarded $5,000 grants to stock pantry shelves at Interfaith Human Services of Putnam, Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group Inc. and Saint Mary Food Pantry in Jewett City, the bank said in a statement.

The Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center Inc. received a $5,000 grant to pay for gasoline for two PNC vehicles used to pick up and deliver food and to provide free transportation for older adults.

Two grants were awarded to Project Pin Food Pantry Inc.: a $5,000 grant that will fund their new food delivery service and a $500 grant awarded in recognition of Jewett City Savings Bank’s former president and CEO, Kevin Merchant.

Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson received $3,500, and the Jonnycake Center of Westerly received $2,500 to stock pantry shelves. A grant of $1,000 went to the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut Inc. for the Mobile Food Pantry at Griswold High School.

“The food pantries in our community work hard to help provide relief to our neighbors who face food insecurity,” Michael Alberts, Jewett City Savings Bank’s president and CEO, said in the statement. “We hope that the grants awarded from the Foundation will help ensure their shelves are full as they work to support our community members in need.”

The foundation has provided 73 grants totaling $116,000 this year. Since its launch in 2004, the foundation has provided more than $1.16 million to local organizations.

Jewett City Savings Bank has about $409 million in assets and offices in Jewett City, Brooklyn, Dayville, Pawcatuck, Plainfield, Preston, and Putnam.