United Way to announce $2 million in emergency assistance for basic needs
Funds will be distributed through 25 area health and human service agencies
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02/23/2009
BOSTON - In an 11 a.m. press conference Wednesday, February 25th at Boston City Hall, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who has been leading a Food + Fuel campaign for Boston residents this winter, will join United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley President Michael Durkin, as United Way announces details of new $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. One of the earliest investments of the Fund was a $300,000 commitment to the City of Boston's Food + Fuel Campaign. Wednesday's event will detail new investments 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.
To channel relief directly to the people who need it most in the Boston area, United Way has tapped 25 organizations from its network of health and human services agencies. These United Way partner agencies, which are based in towns from Quincy to Boston to Lowell, were selected based on their history of providing emergency basic needs and their ability to link clients to help that will advance their self-sufficiency after the crisis has subsided.
Who:
Mayor Thomas Menino, City of Boston
Michael K. Durkin, President and CEO, United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley
Jim Hunt, Chief of Environmental and Energy Services, City of Boston
Dr. Nancy Norman, Medical Director, Boston Public Health Commission
Reverend June Cooper, Executive Director, City Mission Society
What:
United Way announces $2 Million in local emergency assistance
Where:
Boston City Hall - Eagle Room
When:
Wednesday February 25, 2009 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
