A bank has handed out $5,000 donations to three charities.

The Bermuda Commercial Bank gave the cash to food programme the Eliza DoLittle Society, the Women’s Resource Centre and the Centre Against Abuse.

Clare Mello, the executive director of the Eliza DoLittle Society, said demand at the charity’s food bank had increased since the pandemic hit more than a year ago.

She added: “The face of food security includes family members, neighbours and work colleagues who previously had stable incomes and have now lost jobs or had their hours cut back.

“Families are faced with choosing between food and other essentials such as utilities, medical care and rent.

“The Eliza DoLittle Society is continuously seeking ways to better serve our clients, to help reduce the stress they are experiencing and to alleviate this growing issue in Bermuda.

“Thanks to the generous donation by BCB, we can put food on the table for those who need it most.”

Lorna Dixon-Marable, the cochairwoman of the Centre Against Abuse said the bank’s continued support was appreciated.

She added: “The funds will help us to provide for those individuals and families that are survivors of domestic abuse in our community.”

Ms Dixon-Marable said there had been “a measurable increase” in the last year for requests for domestic violence protection orders from the courts.

She added: “The funds donated by BCB will go towards the cost of obtaining DVPOs and will assist clients with maintaining their safety.”

Tina Laws, the executive director of the Women’s Resource Centre, said BCB’s philosophy was “directly aligned with our mission to support women and families thereby fostering community”.

She added: “The donation is particularly appreciated as the needs of clients and the demand for our services has increased substantially during these unprecedented times – we are forever grateful for BCB’s support.”

Hubert Esperon, the chief executive of BCB, said: “We acknowledge the increased incidence of food security and domestic abuse that has been exacerbated by the pandemic and have focused our giving in those areas as part of BCB’s corporate social responsibility to this community.”