Food For Free helps residents in need by gathering surplus food and distributing it where it is most needed.

Grant to Support the Nonprofit’s Food Rescue Program in Somerville

Cambridge-based food rescue organization, Food For Free, has been awarded a $15,000 grant from Bank of America through its Basic Needs community support program. The grant will support Food For Free’s food rescue program which will distribute two million pounds of fresh healthy food to more than 30,000 people in 11 Greater Boston cities, including Somerville, in 2017.

Since 1981, Cambridge-based Food For Free has responded to local hunger by rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste and distributing it to local emergency food programs including food pantries, youth programs, shelters, and more. Through a combination of food rescue, farming, school and transportation programs, Food For Free’s year-round services give people access to fresh fruits and vegetables which can be lacking in the diets of low-income individuals and families.

As the nation’s first food rescue program, Food For Free feeds more than 30,000 people annually in Boston and beyond distributing food to more than 100 programs in Arlington, Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Lynn,  Malden, Medford, Peabody, Somerville, and Watertown.

“Hunger in America is not only a lack of access to food — it’s a lack of access to nutrition,” says Sasha Purpura, executive director of Food For Free. “The funds granted to us through Bank of America will help us to distribute two million pounds of food in the coming year, which equates to more than 1.5 million meals. This food will help more than 30,000 people who struggle with access to healthy food in the Greater Boston area. We are incredibly grateful for this gift to support our work.”

Bank of America is dedicated to helping improve communities by addressing issues fundamental to economic health and sustainability. The financial institution focuses on needs related to workforce development and education, community development, and basic needs, such as hunger relief. As a whole, Bank of America responds in two ways: by helping to address the immediate need as well as longer term solutions for economic self-sufficiency. The institution plans to invest $2 billion over 10 years in its global impact and grants program efforts.

“Without affordable access to food, it’s very difficult for individuals and families to improve their personal financial lives or find their path to economic mobility,” says Miceal Chamberlain, Massachusetts market president of Bank of America. “We are very proud to partner with Food For Free, which addresses this critical need through food rescue here in Greater Boston.”

For more information about Bank of America’s global impact and grants program, visit: http://about.bankofamerica.com/en-us/global-impact/find-grants-sponsorships.html#fbid=4rU9bM_JZjz. For more information about Food For free, visit: foodforfree.org.

About Bank of America Environmental, Social and Governance

At Bank of America, our focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors is critical to fulfilling our purpose of helping make people’s financial lives better. Our commitment to growing our business responsibly is embedded in every aspect of our company. It is demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our customers, and the impact we help create around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships across sectors – including community and environmental advocate groups, as well as nonprofits – in order to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and connect with us on Twitter at @BofA_News.

About Food For Free
Since 1981, Cambridge based Food For Free, has responded to local hunger by rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste, and distributing it to local emergency food programs including food pantries, youth programs, shelters, and more. As one of the nation’s first food rescue programs, Food For Free, a

local nonprofit, feeds more than 30,000 people annually in Greater Boston and beyond. In 2015, Food For Free rescued more than 1.7 million pounds of fresh, healthy food, which translated into over 1.3 million meals. Through a combination of food rescue, farming, school and transportation programs, Food For Free’s year-round services give people access to fresh fruits and vegetables, which are typically lacking from the diets of low-income individuals and families.