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Eastern Bank Foundation Announces 2021 Community Advocacy Award Honorees
Each COVID-19 Warrior is at the forefront of addressing inequities exacerbated by the pandemic BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Eastern Bank Foundation is pleased
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[{"type":"text","content":"\nEach COVID-19 Warrior is at the forefront of addressing inequities exacerbated by the pandemic\n\n BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nEastern Bank Foundation is pleased to announce its 2021 Community Advocacy Award honorees, recognizing nonprofit organizations addressing inequities exacerbated by the pandemic in the communities Eastern serves, including Cape Cod, Greater Boston, Merrimack Valley, MetroWest, the North Shore, the South Shore and New Hampshire.\n\n“Time and again, at times of great challenge and especially during this pandemic, it’s our nonprofit sector that picks us up and moves us forward,” said Nancy Huntington Stager, President and CEO of the Eastern Bank Foundation. “In 2021, many organizations answered the call in extraordinary ways to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors, and we’re proud to recognize some of these leaders and their teams for giving mightily to address critical community needs. When they were faced with overwhelming and urgent demand for their services, they pivoted and scaled up rapidly to be a source of help and strength to thousands of people.”\n\nThe areas addressed by this year’s honorees are as follows:\n\nIncreasing Food Access\n\nRacial inequities in food insecurity and gaps in food access are growing, alarmingly. Reports estimate 30 percent of adults in Massachusetts were experiencing food insecurity at the start of this year, and among Massachusetts residents, 58 percent of Latinx adults, 45 percent of Black adults, 26 percent of Asian adults, 24 percent of White adults and 42 percent of adults with children experience food insecurity. In New Hampshire, one in seven Granite Staters is estimated to not know where their next meal will come from, with an additional 55,000 people now food insecure as a result of the pandemic. Community Advocacy Award honorees being recognized for addressing food insecurity are:\n\n\nMerrimack Valley Food Bank, led by Executive Director Amy Pessia\n\n\nHealthy Waltham, led by Executive Director Myriam Michel\n\n\nGather New Hampshire, led by Executive Director Deb Anthony\n\n\nEasing Child Care Scarcity\n\nThe pandemic has also laid bare the flaws in our child education and care ecosystem. Since COVID-19, 13% of licensed child care programs in Boston alone shut down. A Community Advocacy Award honoree being recognized for mobilizing child care and o...