Eastern Bank Foundation Announces 2021 Community Advocacy Award Honorees

Rhea-AI Summary

The Eastern Bank Foundation has announced its 2021 Community Advocacy Award honorees, recognizing nonprofit organizations addressing pandemic-induced inequities across various regions, including Cape Cod, Greater Boston, and New Hampshire.

Significant issues highlighted include food insecurity, child care scarcity, and vaccination inequities. The report states that 30% of Massachusetts adults faced food insecurity earlier this year, with disparities among racial groups. Several organizations received awards for their critical interventions in these areas.

Positive

• Recognition of organizations effectively addressing community needs during the pandemic.
• Focus on crucial areas like food security, child care, and vaccination, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to equity.

Negative

• Food insecurity affects 30% of adults in Massachusetts, indicating a severe ongoing issue.
• Significant disparities in food security among racial groups may imply systemic challenges that need long-term solutions.

Each COVID-19 Warrior is at the forefront of addressing inequities exacerbated by the pandemic

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Eastern 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.

“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.”

The areas addressed by this year’s honorees are as follows:

Increasing Food Access

Racial 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:

• Merrimack Valley Food Bank, led by Executive Director Amy Pessia
• Healthy Waltham, led by Executive Director Myriam Michel
• Gather New Hampshire, led by Executive Director Deb Anthony

Easing Child Care Scarcity

The 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 other support is:

• Old Colony Y, led by President & CEO Vincent J. Marturano

Addressing Vaccination Inequities

To address disparities surrounding the vaccine, organizations took different approaches to getting communities vaccinated. They focused on getting accurate and culturally-competent information into our communities through vaccine education, and providing access in pop-up clinics at churches, civic centers and elsewhere to help people actually get the vaccine. Community Advocacy Award honorees being recognized for vaccination equity efforts are:

• Cape Abilities, led by Interim President & CEO Kim McElholm
• GOTVax, co-founded by Dr. Alister Martin, Emergency Medicine Physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, and Jon Santiago, Emergency Medicine Physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and State Representative from the 9^th Suffolk District
• Essex County Community Foundation, led by President and CEO Beth Francis

Supporting Businesses of Color

In Massachusetts, the annual unmet demand for capital among businesses of color is at least $574 million, and COVID-19 required many of these businesses to pivot quickly. Community Advocacy Award honorees provided technical assistance, capital and other resources to assist these businesses. Honorees in this category are:

• Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA), led by President and CEO Segun Idowu
• Small Business Strong, an initiative led by Yvonne Garcia in addition to her role as Chief of Staff to the Chairman and CEO of State Street Corporation where she is also Global Head of Communications

Read more about all of the 2021 Community Advocacy Award honorees at:
https://www.easternbank.com/communityadvocacyawards

About Eastern Bank Foundation

Created in 1994, the Eastern Bank Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Boston-based Eastern Bank. Through philanthropy, employee volunteerism, advocacy and collaborations with other businesses and community partners, Eastern Bank Foundation responds to community needs and supports sustainable solutions to our communities’ most vexing challenges across eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. To learn more, visit easternbank.com/foundation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211104006146/en/

Andrea Goodman

Eastern Bank Foundation

a.goodman@easternbank.com

781-598-7847

Source: Eastern Bank

FAQ

What is the Eastern Bank Foundation's 2021 Community Advocacy Award?

The award recognizes nonprofit organizations addressing pandemic-related inequities in communities served by Eastern Bank.

What issues were highlighted by the Eastern Bank Foundation in 2021?

Key issues include food insecurity, child care scarcity, and vaccination inequities exacerbated by the pandemic.

How many adults in Massachusetts experience food insecurity according to the press release?

Reports indicate that 30% of adults in Massachusetts experienced food insecurity earlier this year.

Which regions were recognized for their community work by the Eastern Bank Foundation?

The regions include Cape Cod, Greater Boston, Merrimack Valley, MetroWest, North Shore, South Shore, and New Hampshire.

Who are some of the honorees for the Community Advocacy Award?

Honorees include Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Healthy Waltham, and Gather New Hampshire, among others.