The United Way of Southeastern Connecticut offered a big thank-you to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital employees earlier this month after a delivery of more than 735 pounds of food to help feed area residents.

The food – which included items such as cereal, canned soups, peanut butter, pastas, beans and tuna – will be distributed to needy families through the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Bank in New London.

The food drive at L+M was organized by the hospital’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council in collaboration with AFT Local 5049 Registered Nurses, AFT Local 5051 Techs, AFT Local 5123 Healthcare Workers and AFT Local 5119.

Clothing was also collected during the drive and those goods have been delivered to the New London Homeless Hospitality Center in New London.

“I want to thank everyone at L+M for their support, because it’s really needed and really appreciated,” said Maggie Marley, Community Engagement Labor Liaison with the United Way.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to be giving right now, and this is huge, what our employees gave,” said Pat Casey, RN, a union member who helped organize the drive. “It’s a never-ending need and we really want to thank our staff and our unions and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council. Everyone did a great job.”