For Immediate Release: 6/13/2023 4:12 pm
WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester announced Tuesday the allocation of $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the United Way of Central Massachusetts (UWCM) to support food insecurity programs.
The $2 million in funding will be distributed to local providers and food pantries by the UWCM over three turnkey funding cycles.
“This funding is in direct response to one of the greatest needs facing our community right now – food insecurity,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “We are grateful for the UWCM and their steadfast commitment to the City, along with the Worcester Food Task Force for its advocacy and dedication to addressing this challenge. It is a great sense of relief knowing we have a partner who will work hard to get food into the hands of the most vulnerable in our community at a very critical time.”
The City of Worcester was awarded approximately $146 million from the US Department of Treasury and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts related to ARPA Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
“Like all things in Worcester, this is a partnership and collaboration,” said UWCM President Tim Garvin. “An urgent issue such as food insecurity will take continued work, and partnerships like this are key. The United Way is excited to work with the City of Worcester and its Worcester Food Task Force to help make sure the most vulnerable in our community have access to healthy food. This is a gigantic step in the right direction to fighting food insecurity in Worcester.”
