The Boston Foundation announces $1.5 million in grants for state's food system
The new law tightens eligibility and require states to fund a significant portion of the program.
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In Massachusetts, more than
'I'm appalled at this mean-spirited federal administration that would deprive hungry people of food by cutting their access or diminishing their access,' Pelton said in a recent
Boston Foundation president Lee Pelton.
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Olivia Yarvis/Globe Staff, Jackeline Luna/Globe Staff, Janelle Nanos/Globe Staff, Anush Elbakyan/Globe Staff
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The Greater Boston Food Bank will be putting the $1 million grant toward maintaining their food assistance operation, purchasing food, and distributing food to the 600 agency partners across Eastern Massachusetts, according to a spokesperson of the food bank.
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The number of people without enough money to feed themselves or their families consistently has increased in the state since the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to rise. A recent
Catherine D'Amato, Greater Boston Food Bank's chief executive, praised the Boston Foundation's donation.
'As a longtime partner of the Boston Foundation, I appreciate the power and impact the Boston Foundation can provide with both its grantmaking dollars and its determination to lean into the biggest challenges we face as a region,' she said in a statement.
Pelton said in a statement that philanthropic institutions alone cannot fill the gaps in funding created by the federal cuts, but the Boston Foundation intends to engage with other philanthropic partners to identify and address the roots of hunger in the state through research and community engagement.
'We hope to be an effective partner alleviating this tragic, and frankly cruel, situation for our families,' Pelton said.
The Boston Foundation said it aims to make multi-million grants in the future as it expands relationships with donors and partners in the state's food system, but did not say when.
Yogev Toby can be reached at
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