With the holiday season upon us, record numbers of people are continuing to face food insecurities. In Massachusetts, an estimated 21 percent of households have issues getting access to food due to the rising cost of groceries, housing and other daily necessities. To help combat this problem locally, The BankFive Foundation today announced it would be providing financial support to 14 area food pantries.
“No one should have to go to bed hungry or worry about where their next meal is coming from.” said Anne P. Tangen, President and CEO of BankFive. “With the rising numbers of homes in Massachusetts facing food insecurity due to the rising costs of housing and food, we are pleased that the BankFive Foundation can help support these critical local organizations that are working to alleviate hunger in Southeastern Massachusetts.”
“The charitable giving approach of BankFive reflects their deep connection with the community, and their efforts have made a significant difference where it is needed the most," said Melanie Edwards-Tavares, President of the SouthCoast Community Foundation, which administers the BankFive Fund. “We are grateful for their partnership and continued commitment to philanthropy,” said Edwards-Tavares.
A $5,000 donation has been made to the United Way of Greater Fall River’s Food Insecurity Foundation.
Additionally, $1,000 donations have been made to each of the following organizations in support of their food pantries:
- Salvation Army of Fall River
- Sister Rose House Soup Kitchen (New Bedford)
- MO LIFE (New Bedford)
- First Baptist Church- (Fall River)
- Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen (Taunton)
- Mercy Meals & More (New Bedford)
- The Greater Fall River Community Food Pantry
- Citizens for Citizens- Food Pantry
- East Bay Food Pantry
- Family Pantry of Cape Cod
- Solanus Casey Food Pantry (New Bedford)
- Seven Hills Food Pantry (serving Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford)
- Saturday Soup Kitchen
In total, $18,000 in grants were given out. The BankFive Foundation was created by BankFive in 2011 and is a fund of the SouthCoast Community Foundation. The fund provides financial support to the local community through grants that enrich programs and services provided by organizations that serve low- and moderate-income households. The Foundation focuses on projects that support local educational youth programs, arts and culture, and community-based organizations that assist families and individuals with food insecurity. Past grant award recipients have included organizations such as My Brothers Keeper, The Watuppa Rowing Center and Teach for America.
For additional information about the Foundation please visit www.bankfive.com. For information on food insecurity in Southeastern Massachusetts, please contact one of the food pantries listed above.