The devastation that has been caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is unimaginable.
The COVID-19 Community Response Fund was established to provide donors a place to invest their dollars locally where the need is highest during this unprecedented public health emergency.
This fund will support local vulnerable individuals and families already struggling to afford food who are now faced with the additional challenges of school closings, job disruptions, lack of paid sick leave, and the virus’ disparate impact on adults over 60.
United Way Food Programs Responding to Increased Need
Unfortunately, while many smaller food pantries across the state are closing, United Way of Tri-County (UWTC) hunger relief programs are responding to the increased demand for food caused by the Coronavirus outbreak. Vulnerable individuals and families can continue to depend on the following food pantries and hot meal programs in the MetroWest/495 Corridor:
Each food pantry is responding to the specific needs of their community. In Framingham at the Pearl Street Cupboard & Café at Park, hot take-out dinners are available Monday through Friday. At WHEAT Community Connections in Clinton, staff and volunteers stepped in and provided 222 breakfasts and 115 lunches to school children. Meals are also being delivered to 224 seniors at four elderly housing developments in Clinton and Lancaster. In Marlborough, additional groceries are being provided during each client’s monthly pantry visit for up to three weeks-worth of food. At all of our food pantries and Cafés we are experiencing an increased volume of food being distributed.
United Way / Mass2-1-1 Information and Referral Call Line Increasing Services to Respond to the COVID-19
As the local response to the global outbreak of Coronavirus changes daily, residents of the Commonwealth have a place to call for answers by dialing three simple numbers: 2-1-1. Since Governor Baker announced that Mass2-1-1 would be activated to take calls about the Coronavirus, Mass2-1-1 calls and searches on mass211.org have increased daily.
Compassionate and highly trained Mass2-1-1 specialists, working directly with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) , can provide the most accurate and timely information available on the Coronavirus. Residents can call this free, confidential line by dialing 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone in Massachusetts to talk to trained call-takers 24/7.
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"We are experiencing a decline in donations at the same time facing a surge in need for services,
and that’s not changing for the foreseeable future.Donations right now will help immeasurably."- Paul Mina, Mass2-1-1 Executive Director and United Way of Tri-County President & CEO
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