Catholic Charities
In a press conference at Boston City Hall, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who has been leading a Food + Fuel campaign for Boston residents this winter, joined United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley President Michael Durkin as United Way announced details of $2 million investment to provide individuals and families with emergency assistance for food, heat and other basic needs this winter. Since October, United Way has been leading a community effort – called the Community Support Fund-- to raise funds for Massachusetts residents seriously impacted by the economic recession. Today’s event details United Way’s swift distribution of $2 million into 25 health and human service organizations in the greater Boston and Merrimack Valley regions. These investments come at a time when even more individuals and families need assistance.
The Community Support Fund launched in the fall as an urgent fundraising drive aimed at distributing funds swiftly into the community. At its launch United Way declared that 100 percent of the funds raised by the Community Support Fund would be funneled directly into food and financial assistance for people in need without administrative cost. Raising funds as quickly as possible to respond to the crisis has required a strong awareness campaign, which was built, pro-bono, by Boston advertising firm PARTNERS+simons and run through the support of media partners including NECN, Comcast, and Universal Hub. From a dozen local musicians who hosted a benefit concert in Somerville, to more than 200 Facebook pages, to individuals giving from $5 to $50,000, the campaign has also relied on grassroots support. Finally, support has resounded in various forms from the City of Boston, Liberty Mutual Foundation, The Barr Foundation, State Street Foundation, The Boston Foundation, National Grid Foundation, Bank of America Charitable Foundation and the Eaton Vance Sponsored US Charitable Gift Trust.
Pictured here: Debbie Rambo of Catholic Charities of Boston accepts the Community Support Fund grant.
