Neighbors Helping Neighbors During Pandemic

Union Mutual, a property-casualty insurance carrier founded in 1874 in on the premise of neighbors helping neighbors, has been purchasing 100 meals/week from two local restaurants: Pinky’s on State and Langdon Street Tavern. These two well-loved establishments have then donated the meals to our neighbors in need: Langdon Street Tavern to the Good Samaritan Haven, which has expanded its operations to help our homeless neighbors stay safe during the Stay Safe, Stay Home orders and Pinky’s to nursing home and other healthcare workers in and around central Vermont.

In response to Union’s posting about these projects on social media, their neighbors at National Life Group and Northfield Savings Bank graciously, enthusiastically and generously partnered with us and agreed to double our purchases, resulting in an additional 300 meals per week to our central Vermont neighbors – exactly the domino effect Union Mutual thought may be possible. Other businesses have signed on each week, expanding the project to reach over 2,500 meals donated over a 4-week span.

“National Life is proud to partner with Union Mutual to do good for our neighbors. Keeping employees working at local business while helping feed those who can use the support right now is one example of how our community is coming together during this crisis,” said Beth Rusnock, President of the National Life Group Foundation.

“This isn’t about Union and National Life, it’s about what’s possible when we work together – those who can help, helping those who need it,” Anna Grearson, Union Mutual Director of Communications and Community Relations said. “The combined benefit to two of the favored Montpelier lunch spots impacted by the absence of workers in the downtown every day, and to our neighbors in need, has been rewarding and inspiring in this time of uncertainty.”

In mid-April, Union Mutual began purchasing 50 breakfast sandwiches each morning from Gunner Brook Store & Deli in Barre, which were then donated to various departments throughout the Central Vermont Medical Center campus.

The Company has also made financial contributions to food banks in all seven states we write business in, both as Union Mutual and on behalf of our Agency Council and Diamond Partner member agencies.

Posts from the deliveries, and other examples of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, can be found on the Union Mutual Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnionMutual/