Joe Andruzzi Foundation Marks One-Year Anniversary of Food Security Assistance Program

NORTH ATTLEBORO — The Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF), providing help and hope to New England cancer patients and their families through financial support when it is needed most, announced that its Food Security Assistance Program is entering its second year of helping cancer patients across New England access healthy and nutritious foods to sustain them during treatment. Since its inception in 2021, the program has raised $436,850 for 1,867 cancer patients across New England.

In December 2020, JAF conducted a pilot Food Security Program, which provided aid outside the financial-assistance grants already provided to cancer patients throughout New England, with the support of a $50,000 grant from Stop & Shop. The program pilot funded 199 households to support 478 patients from December 2020 through March 2021. Overall, nearly half (47%) of the grants distributed during the pilot program helped families who reported annual household income losses between 50% to 100% due to a cancer diagnosis.

After a successful pilot, JAF formally launched its Food Security Assistance support for patients on August 11, 2021, with ROI Communications as its presenting sponsor. Additional support was received from Oncopeptides, Bearingstar Insurance, and the Dunkin’ Joy Foundation.

Through the program, JAF sends grocery-store gift cards directly to the patient to be redeemed at Stop & Shop, Shaw’s, Big Y, Hannaford, or Market Basket. A household of one person receives $150, a household of two to four people receives $250, and a household of five or more people receives $300. JAF Food Security Assistance recipients are eligible to reapply to the program 12 months after their last grant if they still meet JAF eligibility requirements. Patients can also apply for other JAF assistance programs.

Of the $436,850 raised since 2021, 46% ($199,450) has gone to 859 patients in Massachusetts, 19% ($83,950) has gone to 352 patients in Maine, 11% ($47,800) has gone to 205 patients in New Hampshire, 11% ($50,100) has gone to 214 patients in Rhode Island, 7% ($31,750) has gone to 130 patients in Connecticut, and 5% ($23,800) has gone to 107 patients in Vermont.

Entering its second year, JAF’s Food Security Assistance program is supported by the renewal of Stop & Shop’s $50,000 commitment, which comes at a time when economic conditions globally coupled with the increase in cancer diagnoses during the pandemic have led to more than a 60% increase in grant applications across the foundation’s assistance programs when compared to the same time last year.

“The JAF had long observed cancer patients reporting food insecurity as their greatest need, but between the fallout from the pandemic, supply-chain issues, and rising costs, we’ve seen that need really skyrocket in the last year,” said Jen Andruzzi, president and CEO of the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. “Cancer patients are incredibly vulnerable by the very nature of their disease, but this vulnerability is compounded by economic and pandemic conditions. With the help of our sponsors and donors, we’re proud to offer assistance that’s tailored for the patient’s experience and journey, offering discretion and dignity every step of the way.”

The Joe Andruzzi Foundation helps New Englanders battling cancer through a variety of grants, including Household Assistance, Extraordinary Needs, Food Security, Transportation Assistance, (Up)Beat Opportunities, and additional resources. In 2021, more than $1.075 million in grants were awarded to more than 3,700 cancer patients and their family members to help pay for housing, transportation, utilities, food, insurance, and other household expenses.

Donations to assist New England cancer patients and their families can be made online at joeandruzzifoundation.org/ways-to-give/donate.

NORTH ATTLEBORO — The Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF), providing help and hope to New England cancer patients and their families through financial support when it is needed most, announced that its Food Security Assistance Program is entering its second year of helping cancer patients across New England access healthy and nutritious foods to sustain them during treatment. Since its inception in 2021, the program has raised $436,850 for 1,867 cancer patients across New England.

In December 2020, JAF conducted a pilot Food Security Program, which provided aid outside the financial-assistance grants already provided to cancer patients throughout New England, with the support of a $50,000 grant from Stop & Shop. The program pilot funded 199 households to support 478 patients from December 2020 through March 2021. Overall, nearly half (47%) of the grants distributed during the pilot program helped families who reported annual household income losses between 50% to 100% due to a cancer diagnosis.

After a successful pilot, JAF formally launched its Food Security Assistance support for patients on August 11, 2021, with ROI Communications as its presenting sponsor. Additional support was received from Oncopeptides, Bearingstar Insurance, and the Dunkin’ Joy Foundation.

Through the program, JAF sends grocery-store gift cards directly to the patient to be redeemed at Stop & Shop, Shaw’s, Big Y, Hannaford, or Market Basket. A household of one person receives $150, a household of two to four people receives $250, and a household of five or more people receives $300. JAF Food Security Assistance recipients are eligible to reapply to the program 12 months after their last grant if they still meet JAF eligibility requirements. Patients can also apply for other JAF assistance programs.

Of the $436,850 raised since 2021, 46% ($199,450) has gone to 859 patients in Massachusetts, 19% ($83,950) has gone to 352 patients in Maine, 11% ($47,800) has gone to 205 patients in New Hampshire, 11% ($50,100) has gone to 214 patients in Rhode Island, 7% ($31,750) has gone to 130 patients in Connecticut, and 5% ($23,800) has gone to 107 patients in Vermont.

Entering its second year, JAF’s Food Security Assistance program is supported by the renewal of Stop & Shop’s $50,000 commitment, which comes at a time when economic conditions globally coupled with the increase in cancer diagnoses during the pandemic have led to more than a 60% increase in grant applications across the foundation’s assistance programs when compared to the same time last year.

“The JAF had long observed cancer patients reporting food insecurity as their greatest need, but between the fallout from the pandemic, supply-chain issues, and rising costs, we’ve seen that need really skyrocket in the last year,” said Jen Andruzzi, president and CEO of the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. “Cancer patients are incredibly vulnerable by the very nature of their disease, but this vulnerability is compounded by economic and pandemic conditions. With the help of our sponsors and donors, we’re proud to offer assistance that’s tailored for the patient’s experience and journey, offering discretion and dignity every step of the way.”

The Joe Andruzzi Foundation helps New Englanders battling cancer through a variety of grants, including Household Assistance, Extraordinary Needs, Food Security, Transportation Assistance, (Up)Beat Opportunities, and additional resources. In 2021, more than $1.075 million in grants were awarded to more than 3,700 cancer patients and their family members to help pay for housing, transportation, utilities, food, insurance, and other household expenses.

Donations to assist New England cancer patients and their families can be made online at joeandruzzifoundation.org/ways-to-give/donate.