BankNewport Awards $130,000 in Community Fund Grants

Three East Bay Organizations Receive Aid

NEWPORT, R.I. (December 28, 2020) – BankNewport is pleased to announce that it has awarded $130,000 in grants to community organizations throughout Rhode Island. Twenty-five organizations that provide services related to food insecurity, mental health, distance learning, minority-owned small business, and underserved populations received the funding. “We are humbled to have the opportunity to provide these proactive grants to 25 incredible organizations,” said Sandra J. Pattie, President & CEO, BankNewport. “In the best of times, these agencies work on shoestring budgets, and this year has been especially difficult. We are so appreciative of the work they do, despite many challenges, to bring hope and dignity to those most in need.”

The East Bay Food Pantry, Good Neighbors, and East Bay Community Action Program’s Recovery Center each received a $5,000 grant to support their efforts.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a rapid rise in substance abuse and overdoses at a time when individuals have had limited access to the support they had before COVID-19,” said Robert Crossley, Vice President of Behavioral Health, East Bay Community Action Program. “We consider the great rise in opioid abuse and overdose death to be one of the most significant issues that the state faces, and this funding will allow us to expand our Outreach Program to provide more vital services to underserved populations in the East Bay.”

About BankNewport

Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island. With $2.0 billion in assets, BankNewport is one of the oldest community banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees and communities. BankNewport has 17 branch locations, with commercial lending offices in Cumberland and Providence. BankNewport business lines include OceanPoint Marine Lending, specializing in consumer marine and recreational vehicle financing programs, and OceanPoint Insurance, a Trusted Choice independent insurance agency, providing a broad range of property casualty insurance products, including employee benefits and marine related insurance products.