Entercom Hartford “Feed CT” Radiothon Raised $71,015 for Salvation Army COVID-19 Response
CONNECTICUT – Entercom Hartford hosted a 12-hour radiothon on all four of its Connecticut radio stations on Giving Tuesday, May 5, 2020. The radiothon, entitled “Feed CT” is supporting The Salvation Army’s COVID-19 Emergency Disaster Services response, providing emergency food boxes for Connecticut residents in need. The “Feed CT” radiothon ran from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on WTIC Newstalk 1080, Lite 100.5 WRCH, 96.5 TIC, and HOT 93.7.
"Entercom Hartford is honored to partner with The Salvation Army and this great initiative to Feed CT," said Stephanie Perl, Senior VP/Market Manager with Entercom Hartford. "There is no more significant time than right now to join in this great cause. To do our part and make a significant social impact, Entercom Hartford, through our 'Giving Tuesday' initiative, was hoping to provide our local community with more than 25,000 meals. I am proud to say that our radio-thon, in fact, raised just over $70,000, allowing us to donate over 35,000 meals to help out our Connecticut community."
Many callers to the radiothon shared their reasons for donating:
One caller said she was only able to give to others by monetary donations, but The Salvation Army is able to serve with their hearts.
One woman donated her COVID relief check of $1,200 – she said she was fortunate to still be working and wanted to put it to good use to purchase food for those in need.
Another woman who gave a donation, said she is forever grateful to The Salvation Army because she struggled with addiction 14 years ago and because of The Salvation Army rehabilitation program, she is alive – and sober!
One gentleman from Ledyard said he was blessed that his personal business was doing well through all of this and he wanted to make sure his money went to a good place.
Irene from Middletown donated her $1,000 stimulus check in memory of her late husband of 47 years. She said he would be proud of her, as they donated every Christmas season and in her younger years she rang the bell for The Salvation Army in the Kmart plaza in Cromwell.
Miguel from New Britain knows many people who are out of work, and feels blessed to still be working, which is why he donated. He heard the radiothon on Hot 93.7, and it was his first time donating to The Salvation Army.
As food insecurity increases, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services department has organized food distribution hubs throughout the state of Connecticut to enhance the flow of much-needed resources to residents in need. Food boxes are packed from deliveries of donated items as well as food purchased through donations. These disaster food boxes contain shelf-stable food like pasta, canned vegetables, and cereal that can be used to make 30-35 meals for a household. Dollars raised during the radiothon will directly benefit those in need throughout Connecticut communities.
“The 35,000 meals will make a huge impact for more than 1,000 families in CT. Thank you to Entercom Hartford and all who gave to the Giving Tuesday Radiothon!” said Major Gregory Hartshorn, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army’s Southern New England Division, serving CT & RI.
Read more about how The Salvation Army is helping those in need during this crisis.