Two more East Boston organizations helping to support residents most in need during the COVID-19 pandemic were named recipients of Boston Resiliency Fund grant money.
The Salesian Boys & Girls Club on Byron Street and the Central Assembly of God on Bennington Street will share in $840,000 in new grants awarded to 19 local organizations and nonprofits across Boston.
Mayor Martin Walsh and the Boston Resiliency Fund Steering Committee announced the grant money to the two Eastie groups last week. The twentieth round of grants focus on funding to support culturally competent food access services through trusted community organizations in for neighborhoods throughout Boston, wraparound services for students.
“We created the Boston Resiliency Fund so that our nonprofit partners could more quickly and effectively provide outreach and support to our most vulnerable populations throughout the City of Boston,” said Mayor Walsh. “I am so proud that we have reached this milestone of distributing grants to organizations providing vital services to Bostonians. Thank you to all of our partners who have helped showcase the importance of working together.”
Salesian Boys & Girls Club will use the grant to support their Weekly Family Dinner Night Program. These funds will be used to increase the numbers of families served from 60 to 90 families this fall.
“We are happy to be able to utilize the resiliency funds resources to help address food insecurity in East Boston,” said Salesian Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Michael Triant. “All kids from our full day remote learning program will receive a freshly cooked take home dinner every Wednesday night. Parents and families are all straight out right now adapting to work schedules and online learning schedules. We felt this would be a great way to simplify their lives provide a free home cooked meal and put a strong emphasis on the family dynamic”
Central Assembly of God Church in Eastie will use the grant to sustain efforts to provide a twice-weekly distribution of food that gives community members access to essential and nutritious foods by combining fresh produce from a local vendor and food staple items from local sources. This grant will also help sustain the local business economy by purchasing fresh produce items from a local community grocer.
“Thanks to Mayor Walsh, the Boston Resiliency Fund, and the donors that made it possible for this grant to help us with our food pantry distribution,” said Pastor Dave Searles. “We are distributing 130-150 bags of food every Monday and Thursday at 9:00 a.m. to individuals and families affected by the economic slowdown due to the pandemic. Restaurants, hotels, and airport services are struggling which impacts a large number of people in East Boston so this grant helps us meet this critical, ongoing need. Karen Food Market at 41 Bennington Street has been a key supplier of fresh produce as well as other local food sources.” Since launching in March to help Boston residents most affected by COVID-19, the Boston Resiliency Fund has distributed over $26.3 million to 348 local organizations and nonprofits. Fifty five percent of grantee organizations are led by a person of color, 58 percent of grantee organizations are led by a woman, and 27 percent of grantees are immigrant-serving organizations.