Cambridge, Mass. – East Cambridge Savings Bank, a $1.3 billion in assets mutual bank headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., recently made donations to two organizations providing vital services to people displaced by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Doctors Without Borders in the United States and World Central Kitchen each received a donation from the Bank. Both organizations are on the ground in Ukraine and Eastern Europe providing critical resources to the millions of people who have been displaced from their homes due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Doctors Without Borders was founded in 1971 and provides medical care and equipment to millions of people impacted by armed conflict, natural disasters, and epidemics and pandemics. In response to the conflict in Ukraine, Doctors Without Borders has distributed 250 tons of medical supplies in the country and facilitated a medical train, evacuating the injured and sick to safety while providing access to high-quality medical care. The organization is also providing medical care for Ukrainian refugees who have been forced to flee their homes.
World Central Kitchen (WCK) was founded by world-renowned chef and restauranter José Andrés in 2010 to provide food and meals in Haiti after a devastating earthquake struck the country. Since then, the organization has grown to support people impacted by conflict and natural disasters, providing them with high-quality, freshly made meals. WCK has been on the frontlines of virtually all recent major natural disasters and humanitarian crises including the volcano in Tonga, Afghan refugee crisis, and communities in the US in need of food support at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent months, WCK has provided hot, fresh meals to displaced Ukrainians and distributed thousands of meals inside Ukraine, often immediately after the retreat of Russian forces.
Additionally, Bank employees and Board members are individually supporting Sunflower for Peace, a Boston based 501(c)3 organization founded in 2014 to support Ukrainian orphans and displaced persons. Donations made by employees are matched by the Bank. Sunflower for Peace was identified by the Bank’s Employee Activities Committee as a worthy local organization to support.
“All of us have been watching with sadness and horror at what’s happening in Ukraine. As an organization, we want to support groups that are literally on the frontlines trying to help those impacted by this conflict,” said Gilda M. Nogueira, the Bank’s president and chief executive officer. “While our charitable and corporate giving usually focuses on local needs, times like this require all of us – as businesses and individuals – to think of ways we can help the people of Ukraine. Doctors Without Borders, World Central Kitchen, and Sunflower for Peace are meeting the critical and basic needs of people whose lives have been upended. These organizations are truly making a difference where it is so desperately needed.”
To learn more about the Bank and its commitment to charitable giving and community support, please visit ecsb.com.
About East Cambridge Savings Bank
East Cambridge Savings Bank is a full-service mutually held bank that is committed to be the preferred banking partner in the communities it serves. Established in 1854, the Bank strives to provide an exceptional customer experience and generous support for the community. Headquartered in Cambridge, the Bank has locations in Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Chelsea, Malden, Medford, Somerville, and Waltham, as well as an educational training facility at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. The Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF), and is an Equal Housing Lender.
CONTACT:
Leo Gayne
Assistant Vice President, Public and Community Relations Officer
(617) 551-2353
lgayne@ecsb.com