Newest round of grants will help Food For Free provide food resources to individuals and families in the Greater Boston area

Cambridge, MA (April 15th, 2020)– Food For Free, the Cambridge-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing every member of the Greater Boston community with reliable access to fresh and nutritious food, recently received grants from several corporate donors. Food For Free is deeply grateful to Akamai Foundation, Anne E. Borghesani Foundation, Cambridge Savings Bank, Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for stepping in with grant support during the COVID-19 crisis.

Before the COVID-19 crisis, 1 in 10 Massachusetts households did not have regular access to healthy food. Since the crisis, the number of people needing food assistance has sharply spiked. Many students lost access to critical school food programs when schools, community colleges, and other learning institutions closed. With unemployment rising sharply, many individuals and families who normally do not need assistance are now in need. Vulnerable homeless and low income populations have been hit especially hard by the crisis as food pantries and shelters have struggled to stay open.

These grants make a significant positive impact on Food For Free’s ability to carry out its mission. Food For Free improves access to healthy food within the community by rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste and creating new distribution channels to under-served populations. Perhaps even more importantly during times of turmoil, Food For Free serves as a solution to so many who have uncertainty when it comes to food access, and is dedicated to continuing their work and even expanding accessibility especially during times of crisis and increased need. Food For Free’s newest program is a grocery delivery program serving those unable to access food due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“These grants will strengthen our ability to get food to the community, in ways that make it as easy as possible for people to receive it ,” said Sasha Purpura, Food For Free’s Executive Director. “Especially now, we are so grateful for grants like these that help us move forward with our mission every day.”

ABOUT FOOD FOR FREE

Food For Free is a Cambridge-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing the Greater Boston community with reliable access to fresh and nutritious food. Food For Free accomplishes its mission through food rescue, partnerships with schools, colleges, and community food programs, and our own direct service programs. In 2019, Food For Free distributed more than two million pounds of nutritious food to more than 30,000 people throughout Greater Boston. To learn more, please visit us at http://www.foodforfree.org/, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.