There has never been a more important time to come together. Across the country, not one community is left unaffected by COVID-19—yet this pandemic has hit some populations harder than others. While the virus itself doesn’t discriminate, many low-income neighborhoods have been affected, as residents are more likely to be essential workers, use public transport, and live in densely populated buildings, making social distancing a challenge. Access to adequate health care and nutritious food is another issue, and, as a result, this crisis has disproportionately affected already susceptible populations.
Despite obstacles created by COVID-19, local organizations throughout New England have risen to the occasion. Determined to make an impact, nonprofits have been quick to mobilize and innovate to meet physical and emotional demands of those in need.
In Manchester, New Hampshire, FIT-NH (Families in Transition-New Horizons) is managing the Manchester COVID-19 Relief Meal Delivery Project. Through this project, Great NH Restaurants’ Catering is preparing 1,200+ freshly cooked, healthy meals weekly and delivering them to transitional housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Lauren Bombardier is the Corporate Relations and Events Manager at FIT-NH. “We are very gratefully coordinating this local initiative with Great NH Restaurants’ team to help get healthy meals to those in our community who need it most.”
A participant of the program, Nicole, is appreciative of the healthier options the Meal Delivery Project has provided for her and her children, as well as the opportunity to learn about available resources. “I didn’t know that a lot of the programs that are available existed, [and] what was out there to help people before this experience.”
“It saves money on buying food outside of the program, and they [my children] are eating healthier instead of fast food.” - Nicole, participant of the Manchester COVID-19 Relief Meal Delivery Project
Nicole’s daughter, who used to ask her mom for fast food, is expanding her tastes thanks to the Great NH Restaurants’ team. “It’s helpful that they [my children] will eat the food. It saves money on buying food outside of the program, and they are eating healthier instead of fast food.”
The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation has given more than $7.1 million in COVID-19 relief grants and established meal delivery partnerships similar to FIT-NH in Boston, Massachusetts; New Bedford, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; Bridgeport, Connecticut; and elsewhere.
“This partnership delivers fresh, healthy meals to our most vulnerable neighbors during these challenging times,” said Michael Carson, President and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “It is designed to support social distancing, take care of those most at risk for complications from COVID-19, and help put people whose jobs have been impacted by COVID-19 closures back to work. We remain committed to providing the necessary resources to support community-focused initiatives around the region.”
Explore the map below to find resources in your area that can provide you and your loved ones the support you need:
“I think it’s the sense of doing something together with and for people in their community that’s concrete. They’re feeding people. They’re connecting with people. Everyone comes together when gathered around the table.” - Karen Voci, president of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation
While these grants have been helpful for many nonprofits, Foundation President Karen Voci explains how the real heroes are the volunteers and leaders spearheading these initiatives. “Their spirit is inspirational,” says Voci. “I think it’s the sense of doing something together with and for people in their community that’s concrete. They’re feeding people. They’re connecting with people. Everyone comes together when gathered around the table.”
While the Foundation is supporting similar meal delivery projects in Maine Massachusetts and Connecticut, food isn’t the only way organizations are partnering with the Foundation to help. In Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, the residents of the Hibbard Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Hilltop Manor received tablets to virtually communicate with their families. The Commons at Central Hall facilitated the donation with a grant from the Foundation, and are also offering regular check-in phone calls for seniors. Grants from the Foundation are also supporting the purchasing of PPE, such as hospital masks and gowns, for front-line staff of various organizations including Intercommunity and Connecticut Institute for Communities.
For 40 years, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation has supported nonprofit organizations across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, and Connecticut to help build healthier communities. This impact is possible because of the efforts of strong community leaders and dedicated volunteers coming together during this time. “It’s not going to be easy,” says Voci. “But we’ll come out okay on the other side.”