Commerce_21_06 | Page 20

■ Corporate Philanthropy

■ Corporate Philanthropy

Continued From Page 16 to home . In early Spring 2020 , we leapt into action and raised more than $ 5,000 for the Music , Meals & More for Healthcare Heroes emergency fundraising campaign , which supported the healthcare workers at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and New Jersey ’ s RWJBarnabas Health system . Later in the year , CSG ’ s Diversity & Inclusion Committee hosted two fundraisers that were met with an outpouring of generosity . The first , over the summer , saw the firm raise more than $ 24,000 in support of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice ; and , together , we proudly raised more than $ 10,000 — the equivalent of 30,000 meals for families in need — for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey just in time for Thanksgiving .
Columbia Bank . In a challenging year filled with economic uncertainty due to the COVID‐19 pandemic , one of Columbia Bank ' s priorities was to remain active in the communities it serves . Through Team Columbia and the Columbia Bank Foundation , the bank leveraged its volunteerism and supported struggling businesses , nonprofit organizations and communities during this difficult time . In 2020 , the Columbia Bank Foundation , one of the largest private giving foundations in New Jersey , provided nearly $ 600,000 in support to nonprofit organizations affected by COVID‐19 . Some $ 200,000 was designated to local hospitals to support the outstanding efforts of front-line healthcare workers . Team Columbia volunteered nearly 2,000 hours ; and it expedited a $ 1.5 million line of credit to transform Edison ' s 157,000 square-foot Convention and Exposition Center into a 500-bed emergency field hospital for overflow patients during the pandemic . While the year ahead remains uncertain , Columbia Bank ' s efforts to assist those in need remains strong .
Delta Dental of New Jersey . The COVID‐19 pandemic has nearly doubled the number of New Jerseyans having difficulty putting food on their tables , resulting in as many as 1.2 million adults and children relying on food banks and pantries for sustenance . With massive unemployment rates a major contributing factor , these organizations were in dire need of outside assistance to keep up with the demand . Aware that food insecurity will very much persist in New Jersey long after the pandemic , Delta Dental of New Jersey donated $ 250,000 to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey ( Hillside ), Fulfill ( Neptune ), and The Food Bank of South Jersey ( Pennsauken ) to help food pantries
“ The COVID‐19 pandemic has nearly doubled the number of New Jerseyans having difficulty putting food on their tables ...”
with capital needs , such as refrigerators , storage shelving and delivery trucks . Delta Dental of New Jersey has a long history of addressing hunger in New Jersey . This donation supplements the more than 17,000 meals associates prepared for Rise Against Hunger and the 263 boxes of food they packaged at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey .
Eastwick College Foundation . When the urgent call for PPE went out , Eastwick College — which offers multiple medical degrees — responded by donating $ 40,000 worth of surgical gowns , masks , face shields , shoe covers , hair bouffant caps and sterile gloves to New Bridge
Medical Center in Paramus and St . Joseph ’ s University Medical Center in Paterson . Next , Eastwick College partnered with Visions Federal Credit Union and purchased lunches from local restaurants and donated them twice to frontline workers at New Bridge Medical Center and once to St . Michael ’ s Hospital . It was a win-win for both the restaurants that lost so much business , as well as for the frontline workers who tirelessly provided round-the-clock care . Last but not least , students and staff rallied by raising money to fight hunger , ending the year with a $ 40,000 donation to eight local food banks — half of which came from the college ’ s president , Tom Eastwick .
Felician University . Felician University was undaunted in the face of challenges posed by the COVID‐19 pandemic and remained committed to serving both its student population and the larger community . Felician stepped up to the plate to help students struggling due to the global COVID‐19 pandemic by offering onetime emergency aid through the Emergency Student Fund . Students who faced family emergencies , medical expenses or job loss due to the pandemic applied for emergency aid , food assistance , temporary housing and transportation costs . Felician students took part in Make a Difference Day in November to pick up litter in and around the Rutherford campus , while many communities were restricting outdoor activities .
Goldstein Lieberman & Company , LLC . When the COVID‐19 crisis hit , Goldstein Lieberman & Company knew that not-for-profits would be some of the worst hit during the pandemic . Thirteen years ago , during the 2008 financial downturn , the firm created Goldstein Lieberman Cares , a program that has contributed over a million dollars since its inception to help local charities achieve their missions .
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Columbia Bank volunteers prepared more than 600 individual food boxes and bags for a food distribution event with Table To Table and First Baptist Church in Englewood . Baptist Church in Englewood .
Delta Dental of New Jersey associates volunteered at Community FoodBank of New Jersey during its first-ever Community Impact Week .
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