Mobilizing Health Care for a Hunger Free Massachusetts Grants Awarded at the First Hunger to Health Summit

Media contact:
The Greater Boston Food Bank: Catherine Drennan, press@gbfb.org, 617-828-7422
Stop & Shop: Jennifer Brogan, Jennifer.Brogan@stopandshop.com, 774-279-1467
Museum of Science: Carrie Nash, cnash@mos.org, 508-309-9967

BOSTON – Nov 12, 2019 – Today the Hunger to Health Collaboratory (H2HC) announced the first six (6) recipients of the Mobilizing Health Care for a Hunger Free Massachusetts grants at the inaugural Hunger to Health Summit held at the Boston Museum of Science. H2HC is a cross sector collaboration of stakeholders committed to reducing the health consequences of hunger. In July 2019, H2HC announced this new grant program to advance partnerships between the health care industry and community-based organizations to address the health consequences of hunger in order to create a hunger-free Massachusetts.

Stop & Shop’s generous support has enabled a total of $32,500 to be awarded to the following organizations:

• Community Farms Outreach Inc. & Healthy Waltham ($7,500)
• Massachusetts Food Systems Collaborative ($5,000)
• MelroseWakefield Healthcare ($5,000)
• Northern Berkshire Community Coalition ($5,000)
• Pioneer Valley Planning Commission ($5,000)
• The Open Door ($5,000)

“Stop & Shop is incredibly proud to support these local organizations across Massachusetts, which will foster cross-sector collaboration at the community level,” said Gordon Reid, President of Stop & Shop. “As a founding partner in H2HC, we’re hopeful this first class of grant recipients will further our organization’s mission and begin important work in mitigating the health consequences of hunger.”

“Food insecurity and hunger are public health challenges that have far reaching implications to the health and well-being of many in our community,” said Catherine D’Amato, President & CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank and founding member of H2HC. “When we look for more ways to work together in order to provide nutritious food to those in need, individuals, families and everyone else involved in the health care system stands to benefit from this increased collaboration.”

The six grant recipients range from a health care provider to local and regional agencies to a local food pantry. All these organizations are looking for ways to come together and further highlight and study the health consequences of hunger. Funds from the grant will be used to assemble different stakeholders and help align efforts to educate, identify and assist food insecure individuals and families, connecting them to the health care and nutritious food resources they need to thrive.

About The Hunger to Health Collaboratory
The Hunger to Health Collaboratory (H2HC) is a cross sector collaboration between stakeholders who are dedicated to reducing the health consequences of hunger. H2HC builds alliances with leaders who believe that health begins with reliable access to nutritious food. Together, they are contributing their organizational expertise to accelerate the impact of sustainable initiatives by supporting food insecurity screening & intervening efforts, promoting awareness, and convening to further food insecurity as public health priority. For more information, visit www.hungertohealthcollaboratory.org, or contact hungertohealth@gbfb.org.