Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Receives $50,000 from Point32Health Foundation

CHICOPEE — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts received a $50,000 general operating grant from Point32Health Foundation to support its work of increasing access to local, affordable, nutritious food.

“The Food Bank provides nutritious food to an average of 114,000 people each month over the last 12 months, an 18% increase over the prior year,” said Andrew Morehouse, executive director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. “Higher prices for food, housing, transportation, childcare, and other basic needs have forced more people, including working families, to seek food assistance, surpassing demand even during the pandemic. This grant from the Point32Health Foundation will help ensure the Food Bank can continue to distribute the equivalent of more than 1 million meals and other food every month to meet the growing demand for food.”

This grant is one of 31 new community investments totaling nearly $3 million from Point32Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Point32Health and its family of companies, including Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tufts Health Plan, and Care Partners of Connecticut. The grants support community-led solutions to advance healthier communities and equity in aging in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

“These organizations are increasing social connection, improving community approaches to mental health, and making healthy, culturally relevant food accessible, while creating communities that promote equitable aging,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of Point32Health Foundation and vice president for Corporate Citizenship at Point32Health. “They are collaborative and committed to making communities work better for everyone.”