The Massachusetts Medical Society and Alliance Charitable Foundation has awarded grants to health-focused organizations across the state.
The awards, totaling $281,278 and benefitting 25 organizations in 2019, bring the total amount of grants made by the foundation to nearly $4.2 million since 2000.
Five organizations will receive grants totaling $50,000 to address the areas of food insecurity and nutrition education.
Just Roots in Greenfield was granted $10,000 to support the Local Food Clinic focused on connecting residents living in low-income housing developments in Franklin County with local food and health resources.
Lovin’ Spoonfuls will receive $15,000 to support the expansion of their Food Rescue Program to Hampden County. This program uses a direct distribution system to collect excess food from grocery stores, farms, and wholesalers and deliver those items to area nonprofits.
Framingham’s South
Middlesex Opportunity Council received $10,000 earmarked toward educating homeless families in nutrition, healthy meal planning and safe food preparation in an effort to meet the overall goals of improving health, recovery, employability and housing.
Our Neighbors’ Table in Amesbury received $10,000 to support their partnership with Children’s Health Care pediatric practice to pilot a health care practice-based food insecurity screening and prescription to food resources program. The
Farm and Community Collaborative in Lakeville will receive $5,000 to support their Farm to Food Bank program.
Four organizations providing behavioral health services to those who otherwise would not have access will share $48,000. The MetroWest Free Medical Program located in Sudbury was granted $8,000 in support of its efforts to provide behavioral health
services for uninsured patients in need. Interfaith Social Services in Quincy received $10,000 to support the New Directions Counselling Center which addresses the
mental health needs of impoverished people, without health insurance or with inadequate coverage, by providing therapy and counselling services on a sliding fee schedule.
The Fatherhood Project at Mass General Hospital received $10,000 to support Dads in Recovery, an evidence-based program that enhances the system of care provided to fathers struggling with substance use disorders through a psycho-educational intervention aimed at improving parenting skills and
emotional engagement with their children.
South End Community Health Center received $20,000 to support the integration of behavioral health and pediatrics to promote child wellness by addressing the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of children ages 0 to 8.
Six organizations increasing access to health care for the un/under insured received a total of $67,500.Amherst
Survival Center’s Free Health Program received $15,000 directed toward supplementing a free clinic provided by medical volunteers and staff, a Health Needs Fund to help pay for medications and tests, and HungeRX, an outreach campaign with local physicians to support
food security screenings and referrals to food pantries.
Saint Anne’s Free Medical Program in Shrewsbury received $7,500 to support the Women’s Health Initiative. Father
Bill’s & MainSpring in Brockton will receive $10,000 for its MainSpring Outreach Project, which creates access to health care and improves health outcomes for homeless men and women who are currently living outdoors. The Sharewood Project in Malden received
$10,000 to support the mission of this free, student-run health education organization operating in St. Paul’s Church, providing limited care services, dental, vision, and food insecurity screenings, and insurance enrollment assistance.
Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires received $15,000 to support the creation of a structured Women’s Health Program. The
Outreach Van Project received $10,000 to support its mission of providing the medically underserved communities of the Greater Boston area with clothing, food, and medical services, while offering an opportunity for future physicians to learn skills in community outreach.
Additional grant recipients include the
Beyond Soccer (Lawrence),
Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, Boston Health Care
for the Homeless,
Community Health Programs (Great Barrington), the Family Van,
Asian Women for Health,
Codman Square Health Center,
Found in Translation,
Transition House, and the
Philippine Medical Association of New England.
The Massachusetts Medical Society & Alliance Foundation is a supporting organization of the Massachusetts Medical Society, the statewide association of physicians, and the MMS Alliance, the organization of physicians' spouses, physicians, medical students, partners, and friends committed to advancing the health and
well-being of the family of medicine. The foundation’s mission is to support the charitable and educational activities of the Society and Alliance and address issues affecting the health, benefit, and welfare of the community.
