FCHP Provides $160,000 for Hunger Relief in Worcester County

Monday, November 26, 2012

Joe Parello, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

To help Massachusetts residents in need of food this holiday season, Fallon Community Health Plan (FCHP) is distributing $160,000 to 97 hunger relief programs throughout the Commonwealth, many of which are right here in Worcester County.

The $160,000 represents the total net proceeds from FCHP's annual fundraising event, held in December, "Golf & Gather FORE a Cause." FCHP believes this assistance comes at a crucial time for many families that face the difficult decisions of choosing between heat, food, gas and holidays presents.

“The statistics are alarming and the critical need for food and nutritional support continues to grow,” said Christine Cassidy, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Fallon Community Health Plan. “As a mission-focused organization, it’s essential for us to help by providing these grants to regional food banks and food distribution agencies.”

FCHP has raised funds to support hunger relief programs since 2006. Donating to Massachusetts food pantries is just one component of the not-for-profit's charitable giving program. In total, FCHP donated over $1 million to the communities it serves throughout the Commonwealth.

“So many individuals and families in our communities continue to struggle, especially during this time of economic hardship. For various reasons, our neighbors in cities and towns throughout Massachusetts, lack the financial resources to be well fed and healthy,” said U.S. Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), who has taken a leadership role in the fight against hunger. “Fallon Community Health Plan’s generosity over the years ensures that local food pantries can provide good food and hope for a better tomorrow.”

This year, over 80 different companies participated in FCHP's fundraising initiative to raise money for hunger relief. The proceeds from the annual fundraiser will be distributed to the following hunger relief programs here in Worcester County:

AIDS Project Worcester
Athol Council on Aging
Auburn Youth and Family Services/Food Pantry
Blessed John Paul II Parish Food Pantry, Southbridge
Bread of Life/Webster-Dudley Food Share, Webster
CARE Food Pantry, Clinton
Catholic Charities, Worcester
CHIP-IN Food Pantry, Charlton
Friendly House, Worcester
Friends of Millbury Seniors
Gardner Community Action Council
Ginny’s Food Pantry, Leominster
Henry Lee Willis Center, Plumley Village Neighborhood Center, Worcester
Highland Baptist Church, Fitchburg
Jeremiah’s Inn, Worcester
Mary Queen of the Rosary Food Pantry, Spencer
People’s First Food Pantry of Uxbridge
Pernet Family Health Services, Worcester
Pleasant Street Baptist Church, Worcester
Rachel’s Table, Worcester
Ruth’s Harvest Food Pantry, Leominster
Sharing Cupboard Food Pantry, West Brookfield
South High Community School, Worcester
Southbridge Food Share
St. Paul’s Food Pantry, Worcester
St. Peter’s Church, Worcester
Trinity Church, Northborough
United Neighbors of Fitchburg
Uxbridge Senior Center
Veteran’s, Inc., Worcester
Victory in Christ (Bread of Life Food Pantry)
WHEAT Community Café & Services
Why Me
Worcester County Food Bank
YWCA of Central MA