The latest round of grants totals $242,000, and are directed toward meeting the immediate needs of organizations serving communities and individuals who are heavily impacted by the current crisis. The grants are targeted to organizations that serve child care needs for essential workers and first responders, vulnerable populations (including the elderly) and emergency food and shelter.

“As Central Massachusetts prepares to face the worst of the outbreak in the coming week, it's essential that organizations have the resources they need to be effective,” said Tim Garvin, CEO of the United Way of Central Massachusetts. “Our grantees have been doing amazing work in the community, and we are proud to stand behind them in this challenging time.”

The grantee organizations are:

Organization Name

Description

Advocates

For the purchase of PPE for staff and residents in residential and recovery homes

Boys & Girls Club of Worcester

To support regular drop-in young people with a range of services including virtual case management and food pantry distribution

Building Futures, Inc.

Purchase of cleaning supplies and paper goods for the 1,400 elderly residents in WHA housing

Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center

Support for the start-up and implementation of tele-health equipment and services

Family Health Center of Worcester

Support for associated costs of setting up and operating their triage and screening tent

Genesis Club House

Tech purchases to support the virtual transition to ensure club members are still connected and supported

Harrington HealthCare System

To increase telehealth capacity and purchases of PPE and testing equipment

Open Sky Community Services

For the purchase of PPE for staff and residents in residential homes

The CASA Project

Tech & gift card purchases to remain in contact with and support the children and foster families they serve

Youth Opportunities Upheld LLC

Purchase of chromebooks for low income and first-generation students to complete high school

Heywood Hospital

Emergency expansion of Weekend Food Backpack Program

Mission E4

Supplementing school feeding programs by delivering meals to those they serve in the evening in both Worcester & Hubbardston.

Montachusett Opportunity Council, Inc.

Additional supports for childcare families. Discrete component of client services- paying driver & transportation costs to deliver food and resources to clients

GWCF and UWCM invite institutions, companies, individuals and other funders to contribute to the Worcester Together fund at www.greaterworcester.org and www.unitedwaycm.org/. The Worcester Together fund is also working with the City of Worcester, local officials throughout the County and other funders to give the Fund maximum reach and effectiveness. In addition to offering an opportunity to contribute to the Fund, the partners in the fund also urge donors to directly support the critical needs of nonprofits by making general operating support grants to organizations they wish to help.