Co-operative Insurance Companies donates $10,000 to Vermont Foodbank

December 18, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brad Fortier, (802) 388-0061 

This December, Co-operative Insurance Companies is donating $10,000 to the Vermont Foodbank and $10,000 to the New Hampshire Food Bank on behalf of its employees, directors, and agents. 

"The holidays are a time to think about others, and we know that more and more of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet," said Brad Fortier, the company's director of marketing. "I can think of no better way to honor the true spirit of the season this year than to support organizations that help meet people's most basic needs."

 "The Vermont Foodbank is so grateful to the Co-operative Insurance Companies for their generous donation," said Christine Foster, Vermont Foodbank interim co-CEO. "This couldn't have come at a better time. Demand for charitable food is up more than 30% statewide, and donations of both food and funds are not keeping pace. Partners, like Co-operative Insurance Companies, in the fight against hunger are paramount in creating hunger-free communities." 

The Vermont Foodbank serves a network of 270 food shelves, pantries, shelters, senior centers, group homes, and other programs that assist almost 70,000 Vermonters each year.

The New Hampshire Food Bank serves 370 similar partners to provide food to almost 100,000 New Hampshire residents. 

"The Vermont Foodbank and the New Hampshire Food Bank work hard to combat hunger and poverty every day, tasks that we know have been getting more difficult with the economic times," said Fortier. "We are grateful for their tireless efforts to help ensure that residents of our two states do not go hungry, and honored to be able to assist them in their important work." 

Co-operative Insurance Companies has been meeting property and casualty insurance needs since 1915, offering farm, home, auto, business, and other insurance to people in Vermont and New Hampshire. It is owned by its members and committed to protecting them with fast and fair claims service, loss prevention expertise, and local operations. The company has headquarters in Middlebury, Vermont, with regional claims offices and more than 50 agencies across Vermont and New Hampshire. -30-