Canton Mass., March 21, 2024 – Point32Health was among 141 organizations spotlighted during the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities event held on February 27 and hosted by Second Gentlemen Douglas Emhoff. During the event organizations from across the country, including health systems, nonprofit groups, philanthropic initiatives, and local governments were recognized for making “bold commitments to advance the president’s goal to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030—all while reducing disparities.”

To meet this commitment, Point32Health and Point32Health Foundation pledged more than $1.5 million in grants to community organizations addressing food insecurity and expanded the company’s matching gift and volunteer time off programs. Nonprofit organizations working on this issue are expected to receive an additional $200,000 in new donations from employee and Foundation matching gifts as well as increased volunteer support that is projected to be valued at $25,000.

“To help eliminate disparities and advance health equity, we must continue to collectively address the social determinants of health, including access to affordable, healthy food,” said Cain Hayes, president and CEO of Point32Health. “As a community of care, we are focused on supporting this nationwide effort to end hunger and build healthier communities for everyone.”

The White House announced $1.7 billion in new commitments. These are in addition to $8 billion in commitments announced in September 2022 at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.

“Point32Health Foundation learns from local and regional experts who are leading change and promoting solutions preferred by community,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of Point32Health Foundation and vice president for corporate citizenship at Point32Health. “The nonprofits we support are working to make nutritious food accessible and affordable today while advocating to improve food systems across the region for tomorrow.”

To support community organizations and fulfill the White House commitment, Point32Health Foundation made grants to:

Connecticut 
City Seed, Inc.New Haven, Conn.
Connecticut Foodshare, Inc.Statewide, Conn.
Council Of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, Inc.Bridgeport, Conn.
Green Village InitiativeBridgeport, Conn.
Haven’s Harvest Inc.New Haven, Conn.
New Britain ROOTS, IncNew Britain, Conn.
Wholesome Wave Inc.                                                                            Bridgeport, Conn.

 

Maine 
Alan Day Community GardenNorway, Maine
Cumberland County Food Security CouncilPortland, Maine
Eastern Woodlands RematriationWabanaki Territory, Maine
Full Plates Full PotentialPortland, Maine
Good Shepherd Food BankAuburn, Maine
Healthy AcadiaEllsworth, Maine
Somali Bantu Community Association                                      Lewiston, Maine

 

Massachusetts 
About FreshBoston, Mass.
Boston Area Gleaners Inc.Acton, Mass.
Boston Public Library Fund Inc.Boston, Mass.
Coastal FoodshedNew Bedford, Mass.
Community Harvest Project, Inc.North Grafton, Mass.
Community Servings, Inc.Statewide, Mass.
Digger Foods, IncBrockton, Mass.
Gardening the CommunitySpringfield, Mass.
Growing Places Garden Project, Inc.Leominster, Mass.
Harvard University Center for Health Law and Policy InnovationStatewide, Mass.
MA Food System CollaborativeStatewide, Mass.
Mill City Grows IncLowell, Mass.
Project Bread – The Walk for HungerStatewide, Mass.
Rachel’s Table of Western MassachusettsSpringfield, Mass.
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Inc.Hatfield, Mass.
The Greater Boston Food Bank, Inc.Boston, Mass.
The Urban Farming Institute of Boston, IncMattapan, Mass.
Women’s Lunch Place, Inc.Boston, Mass.
Worcester County Food Bank Inc.                                                      Shrewsbury, Mass.

 

New Hampshire 
The Community Kitchen, Inc.Keene, N.H
Farmsteads of New England, Inc.Hillsborough, N.H.
GatherPortsmouth, N.H.
New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Inc.Newmarket, N.H.
New Hampshire Food BankStatewide, N.H.
New Hampshire Hunger Solutions, Inc.Statewide, N.H.
Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success                                  Manchester, N.H.
Willing Hands EnterprisesUpper Valley, N.H.

 

Rhode Island 
Hope’s Harvest Rhode IslandPawtucket, R.I.
Rhode Island Community Food Bank AssociationProvidence, R.I.
Rhode Island Food Policy CouncilStatewide, R.I.
Southside Community Land TrustProvidence, R.I.
University of Rhode Island Foundation and Alumni Engagement                Kingston, R.I.