Angel of Edgewood Receives Hartford Foundation Grant to Implement Security Measures

Hartford Nonprofit Recently Experienced Two Burglaries in One Week

On May 29 and again on June 2, Angel of Edgewood’s warehouse facility on 276 Franklin Avenue in Hartford was burglarized. Thousands of dollars’ worth of food, clothing, school supplies and other items earmarked for distribution at food pantries and holiday and back-to-school events were stolen — substantially hindering the organization’s mission.

In response to this challenge, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving recently awarded the nonprofit a $30,000 grant to enhance their security.

“The break-ins affected us in so many ways. The toys, winter coats, and personal care products taken from us were so heartbreaking to see,” said Jendayi Scott-Miller, founder and co-chair of the organization. “This grant from the Hartford Foundation will allow us to implement security measures necessary to protect the items we collect to support residents in need. We are so grateful and blessed for this amazing partnership that we have because they know and get the work that Angel of Edgewood is doing.”

Launched in 2020, Angel of Edgewood strives to tackle food insecurity, poverty, homelessness, and social and economic disparities within the Greater Hartford region. The organization helps those who struggle with securing food, clothing, school supplies, home appliances, and other basic necessities of life.

The Hartford Foundation grant will support the purchase and installation of cameras, lights, alarms, durable doors, and other security functions at the facility in Hartford’s South End. This effort will not only reinforce the warehouse against potential future break-ins, but it will also provide a sense of safety to the employees, volunteers, and interns who work at all hours of the day and night in support of Angel of Edgewood’s mission.

“Angel of Edgewood provides food and other basic needs to support the Greater Hartford community,” Bria Gadsden, Community Impact Officer at the Hartford Foundation. “The Hartford Foundation is proud to support them as they work to address the security challenges they have experienced."

In addition to providing residents with access to food and other basic needs, Angel of Edgewood partners with local businesses to provide toys for children with disabilities, technology operations to assist those completing and submitting online documents and providing bilingual volunteers to help those who do not speak English.

“Poverty has layers,” said Scott-Miller. “The work that we do results in change because we understand those layers, and if you’re not willing to take the time to peel them back to better understand how our community works, understands, and perceives things, then you won’t see change.”

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $998 million since its founding in 1925. For more information, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.