The Boston Foundation announces over $1 million in new grants for food-related work by nonprofits

Boston – The Boston Foundation today announced the distribution of just over $1 million in new grants to 61 organizations addressing basic food-related needs across Eastern Massachusetts, in the latest round of grants from its Meeting the Moment: Sustaining Families initiative.

The grants come as the Foundation continues to galvanize support from both large and small donors to support organizations and neighbors most affected by cuts to SNAP and other critical programs. Each of the 61 organizations awarded funds is recognized for its place in Greater Boston’s food ecosystem, supporting food pantries, providers, distributors and food-related businesses under threat and facing increased demand in the current political climate.

“While the reopening of the federal government relieved an immediate crisis around the SNAP payments for November, it only returned us to the ongoing emergency we faced before the shutdown,” said Lee Pelton, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation. “We still live with the cruel policies emanating from Washington that result in children going hungry and hard-working families making choices between food, rent and heat. We see SNAP and Medicaid cut and access restricted. We see heating aid delayed and targeted for elimination. Simply put, we see lives put at risk, all to provide benefits for a wealthy few.”

“That said,” he continued, “I am proud to be in Massachusetts, where so many leaders and people from all walks of life are stepping up for their neighbors. At TBF, we are especially thankful to our partners and the family of Boston Foundation donors, whose support of Meeting the Moment and dozens of other organizations are making our communities stronger and providing care for those facing immediate needs.”

“Time and time again, the Boston Foundation and their generous donors have been there to support our community in times of crisis. At this time where a local response is needed to address federal issues, it’s important to have partners like the Boston Foundation who work tirelessly to protect our residents and coordinate all available resources.”

-Boston Mayor Michelle Wu

The Foundation announced that to date more than $6.2 million has been raised in connection with the “Meeting the Moment: Sustaining Families” initiative since its launch in August, including $800,000 from TBF’s community of donor-advised fund holders allocated for grants directly to food-related nonprofits. More than half of the total has come in since TBF and the City of Boston announced a collaborative effort to address food needs on October 31.

More than $4.6 million has been distributed to date, including:

• $2.2 million released for the Greater Boston Food Bank and other regional food distributors, suppliers, advocates and food pantries.
• $550,000 granted in collaboration with the City of Boston for immediate food relief, including the distribution of thousands of gift cards directly to families, made possible by the YMCA of Greater Boston and a network of area nonprofits.
• $100,000 for gift card distributions in Chelsea, Lynn and East Boston utilizing a trusted network of more than 40 community partners and churches in Chelsea, East Boston, and Lynn, in partnership with the Latino Equity Fund and Stop and Compare Supermarkets.
• $1,010,000 announced today for food-related organizations and other community organizations providing food assistance in communities across Eastern Massachusetts.
• $800,000 donated from TBF’s community of donor-advised fund holders directly to food-related nonprofits as part of this initiative.

“Time and time again, the Boston Foundation and their generous donors have been there to support our community in times of crisis,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “At this time where a local response is needed to address federal issues, it’s important to have partners like the Boston Foundation who work tirelessly to protect our residents and coordinate all available resources.”

To learn more about Meeting the Moment and the Sustaining Families initiative, visit tbf.org/meetingthemoment.