New Haven, CT September 17, 2026 – Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen today announced it has received a $100,000 grant from the Eaton Vance U.S. Charitable Gift Trust through the Morgan Stanley Field Philanthropy Program, an innovative partnership between Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management and Investment Management businesses that helps support high‑impact nonprofits in local communities.
The grant will support DESK’s programming for unhoused and food-insecure residents of New Haven, including the Drop-in & Resource Center at 266 State Street and the Olive Street Pantry, advancing DESK’s mission and strengthening the community’s ability to respond to homelessness and hunger. “This generous support will help DESK and our partners to meet the growing need we are seeing on the streets of our city and in our neighborhoods. Between the fourfold increase in homelessness New Haven has experienced over the last six years and the more than 60,000 Connecticut residents who have lost their SNAP benefits in the last twelve months, the need to fund basic needs is greater than it’s ever been,” said Steve Werlin, Executive Director. “We’re deeply grateful to Morgan Stanley for prioritizing community-based basic needs and emergency response programs by investing in work that’s truly making a difference locally.”
The Morgan Stanley Field Philanthropy Program enables Morgan Stanley Wealth Management employees to nominate nonprofit organizations that matter to their teams and their communities. Through this program, the Southern New England market identified organizations creating meaningful impact across key focus areas including education, healthcare, children, environment, arts, poverty and emergency relief. Selected nonprofits receive grants through Eaton Vance U.S. Charitable Gift Trust following a rigorous review and due‑diligence process.
“One of the most meaningful parts of working at Morgan Stanley is supporting organizations that matter to our team and our community,” said Matthew Cooper, Executive Director. “Through the Field Philanthropy Program, we’re proud to support Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen and help expand their impact.”
The nonprofits selected through the Field Philanthropy Program represent a wide range of missions and causes, reflecting Morgan Stanley’s long‑standing commitment to supporting resilient, inclusive, and thriving communities nationwide.
About Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen
Founded in 1987, DESK is a New Haven-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves people experiencing homelessness or living in poverty by providing food assistance and services that promote health, community, and equity. Each year, DESK serves more than 6,000 people through a nightly dinner program, a weekly food pantry, and New Haven’s only low-barrier, Downtown Drop-in & Resource Center for unhoused people. More information is available at www.deskct.org.
Media Relations: Luis Olmo-Rivera, Development Director
(475) 227-3184 – lolmorivera@deskct.org
About Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management, and investment management services. The firm is committed to making a positive impact in the communities where its employees live and work through strategic philanthropy, volunteerism, and community engagement.
Media Relations: Matthew Cooper, Executive Director I Market Manager
(203) 786-2103 – Matthew.Cooper@morganstanley.
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