Seniors are Safer from COVID-19 Thanks to Financial Services CompanyGrant

Baltimore, Md. – Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Catholic Charities has been working to educate and protect older Marylanders and those who care for them. Over 2,400 older adults across the state have been supported through Catholic Charities Senior Services partially due to a grant from Truist.

Truist provided $50,000 to Catholic Charities Senior Services, addressing the dire need for personal protective equipment and other supplies and equipment. The need was greatest at St. Elizabeth Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Baltimore City, which serves more than 400 older persons each year through short-stay, skilled care, and long-term care. Supplies were necessary to reduce the risk of infection every day for 150 residents and protect the 220 employees who care for them. Residents at St. Elizabeth require 24-hour nursing and rehabilitation supports due to their complex, chronic health conditions and to nurture recovery from acute episodes, often following a hospital stay.

“The health and well-being of our residents and employees is always our highest priority, and we are thankful for Truist’s partnership in helping protect against COVID-19 infection,” said Senior Services Director Aileen McShay Tinney. “These funds let us buy supplies that were critically important in stopping the spread of the virus in the post-acute and long-term care setting.”

Tinney explained that the team needed cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, masks, gowns, goggles and gloves.

“For our teams and residents, having these resources affects more than physical health,” she said. It really makes a difference in their peace of mind.”

The grant is part of the financial service company’s Truist Cares initiative, a $25 million philanthropic pledge announced in March to support basic needs, medical supplies, and financial hardship relief due to COVID-19.

St. Elizabeth Rehabilitation and Nursing Center had to change a number of operational routines as well, including cancelling communal dining. That meant purchasing individual trays for in-room meal service for every resident.

St. Elizabeth is a community of ‘neighborhoods,’ where gathering for meals is part of daily life,” said Administrator Zachary Richards. “That change in ritual and tradition was significant for everyone. Knowing funding is available to implement necessary modifications helps us respond quickly and effectively.”

“We are proud to support Catholic Charities Senior Services,” said Greg Farno, Maryland President at Truist. “This program is designed to support some of Baltimore’s most vulnerable and those who put their lives on the line to provide them with long-term care and rehabilitation services during this difficult time. This grant aligns perfectly with our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities.”

About Catholic Charities of Baltimore

Catholic Charities of Baltimore is Maryland’s largest private provider of human services, with more than 80 programs in 200 locations to serve children and families experiencing homelessness and poverty, individuals with intellectual disabilities, immigrants and seniors without regard to religion, race or other circumstances.

About Truist

Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspire and build better lives and communities. With 275 years of combined BB&T and SunTrust history, Truist serves approximately 12 million households with leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is the sixth-largest commercial bank in the U.S. with total assets of $506 billion as of March 31, 2020. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.

Media Contact

Shawna Prince
sprince@cc-md.org
773-835-1873