Citizens donates $100k to Black Ministerial Alliance

Citizens Bank and the Black Ministerial Alliance have announced a $100,000 funding initiative to help Boston’s low-income residents cope with high food and heating costs this winter

The food and fuel initiative is funded by a $100,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation, the charitable contributions vehicle of Citizens Bank.

The initiative will support shelters and emergency food programs that provide heating and food assistance to local residents in need as well as supplement Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino's food-and-fuel campaign.

With the $100,000 grant from Citizens, the Black Ministerial Alliance will administer grants ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 to faith-based and community-based organizations and homeless shelters in Boston, Citizens said.

The alliance estimates that the $100,000 donation will feed 3,000 people, assist about 50 individuals and families who are struggling to pay their heating bills, and provide assistance to Boston homeless shelters, which are also expected to struggle with high heating costs, Citizens said.

Citizens Bank is operated by Citizens Financial Group, a commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence. Citizens Financial Group is owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)