Household Goods Receives $25,000 Grant to Fight Poverty

ACTON, Mass. – Life Science Cares Boston, a nonprofit that connects life science industry executives and employees with nonprofits fighting poverty across Greater Boston, has awarded Household Goods a $25,000 grant to support the organization’s work of providing furniture and household items, free of charge to help people in need make a home. The Acton-based nonprofit is one of 27 social service organizations to receive a collective $755,000 in grants in 2020, bringing Life Science Cares’ four-year giving total to more than $3.8 million.

Founded in 2016, Life Science Cares was created as a platform for members of the life sciences industry to give back while also giving nonprofits the funds and volunteer power necessary to grow and innovate. This combination of connecting multi-year grants and volunteers to nonprofits that need both is the core value the organization brings as it works to decrease the ever-widening economic and opportunity gap in communities.

This year’s grant distribution culminates another year of rapid expansion and community impact. In addition to its annual grants program, since March Life Science Cares has led a multi-faceted COVID-19 relief effort to help Greater Boston neighbors facing challenges during the crisis, rallying 600 area biopharma executives and employees to raise $1.8 million granted to organizations that provide food, shelter and medical care.

“The Life Science Cares model is unique in that our corporate members’ support extends well beyond financial contributions to include volunteer engagement, strategic support and in-kind donations of goods or services,” says Sarah MacDonald, Executive Director for Life Science Cares. “This year, more than ever, it is an honor to invest in our partners working tirelessly to provide food, housing, education and employment to our neighbors in need.”

Each of Life Science Cares’ partnerships look vastly different, but all are aimed at fighting poverty. Partners who address basic human needs, such as food and shelter, are working with homeless populations and those living month to month and struggle to pay for groceries, bills and rent. Partners who provide educational programs serve underrepresented and underserved youth in schools and after-school programs. And, partners who focus on economic sustainability work with young adults, immigrants and sometimes mid-career individuals who are looking for better opportunities in the workforce, often seeking to switch from gig economy jobs to more stable salaried positions.

Finding and securing housing is essential for health, well-being, and stability, but it is only the first step. Without basic furnishings like beds, chairs, and kitchenware, a house or apartment may feel like little more than a bare shelter. For thirty years, Household Goods has been providing a full range of donated furniture and household items, free of charge, to help people in need make a home.

“We are so grateful that Life Science Cares renewed their support of Household Goods for a second year,” says Sharon Martens, Executive Director of Household Goods. “Whether it’s a family who had been homeless and recently moved into housing, veterans who are getting back on their feet, or a couple who has lost everything in a fire, the need is great, and this grant helps Household Goods provide individuals and families with the basic essentials they need to make a home.”

Life Science Cares is a turnkey CSR program for the life science industry and a model through which other professional industries can leverage their time, talent and treasure to tackle society’s greatest social issues. The organization recently expanded into Philadelphia and will launch affiliates on the West Coast in the coming months. For a complete list of 2020 Life Science Cares grant recipients, visit https://lifesciencecares.org/life-science-cares-boston-awards-755000-to-nonprofits-fighting-poverty/.

About Life Science Cares

Life Science Cares is a collective effort of the life science industry connecting companies with nonprofits that improve the lives of people living in poverty in target cities nationwide. In Boston, Life Science Cares harnesses the sector’s human and financial resources to support a portfolio of 27 nonprofit organizations. Life Science Cares partner organizations work to address basic survival needs (food, shelter) improve education, and develop job skills that increase long term economic sustainability for the community’s most vulnerable neighbors. For more information, visit: www.lifesciencecares.org.

About Household Goods

Household Goods provides a full range of donated furniture and household items, free of charge, to help people in need make a home. Household Goods is located in Acton, MA and has been providing services to people across Massachusetts for 30 years. Learn more at www.householdgoods.org.

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