With food and fuel costs at an all-time high, community-based organizations have kept families afloat. Through a generous $500,000 donation from National Grid Foundation, thousands of families have found the help they need. 

The donation, made to United Way Massachusetts Bay’s Family Fund, which supports local families with: emergency fuel-neutral financial assistance this winter, emergency food and supplies, and other basic needs. UWMB distributed the funds to over 12 organizations in Lawrence, Lynn, Quincy and Chelsea.  “As so many are experiencing the rising cost of living, and our neighbors and communities are strained by tough economic times, we are pleased to once again be able to help and support these fuel-neutral emergency heating and utility funds,” says Eileen Cohen, Chair, National Grid Foundation. “We have a long history of serving as a community partner, understand the critical need in our communities, and want our neighbors to know we are here for them.”

On Tuesday, March 12th, the National Grid Foundation and United Way Massachusetts Bay at Quincy Community Action Programs’ new facility at 18 Copeland Street, Quincy. Members of the NGF board and United Way toured the brand new facility including its food bank operations, fuel assistance call center and childcare space. A short speaking program and check presentation followed with awardees from Lowell’s Community Teamwork, Chelsea’s The Neighborhood Developers, and East Boston Social Centers. A full list of awardees is posted below. 

United Way Massachusetts Bay has administered emergency assistance and flexible funds to households across the region since 1976. The funds are to assist individuals or families with an unanticipated emergency (e.g., job loss, health crisis) or to help individuals enrolled with a partner agency take steps toward financial stability. Due to the global energy crisis and its impact on wholesale energy prices, the Mass. Department of Energy Resources anticipates heating bills for local families this winter to be up to 63% higher than last year for all fuel sources. “It has been a challenging period of economic uncertainty for households in our area, with rising consumer prices for food and other basic necessities, shifting labor markets, decreasing housing vacancies, and increased housing costs,” said Bob Giannino, President and CEO at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. “As United Way works to advance economic prosperity across the region, we are deeply appreciative of this continued and expanded support from National Grid and the National Grid Foundation, which will help ease the financial burden of home heating costs for hundreds of local families this winter.”

Winter may be coming to an end, but the need never does. National Grid Foundation and United Way Massachusetts Bay are helping to bridge the gap for families. 

For more information on National Grid Foundation’s 25th anniversary and gift go to http://www.nationalgridfoundation.com/ 

For more information on United Way Massachusetts Bay’s Family Fund, go to https://unitedwaymassbay.org/.

### 

About United Way of Massachusetts Bay 

United Way of Massachusetts Bay exists to build more equitable communities, together. With over 85 years of local impact in eastern Massachusetts, we work with and for our communities to build economic prosperity and enable everyone–across races and ethnicities–to share in the knowledge, wealth and resources available. We believe that the key to unlocking opportunity is uniting people, and we bring together individuals, community leaders, corporate partners, legislators and organizations to build a powerful engine of change. Visit www.unitedwaymassbay.org for more information. 

Media Contact:  Brigid Boyd, Chief of Public Affairs, UWMB, bboyd@supportunitedway.org, 339.236.1161