Health Care Foundation Donates $1.6M To New Hampshire Orgs

NASHUA, NH — A health care foundation announced millions of dollars in grants made in 2020 focused on food security, racial equity, and COVID-19 relief efforts — including more than $1.6 million for New Hampshire organizations.

The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation said more than $10.4 million in grants have been given to 796 nonprofit organizations in 300 communities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire in 2020. The grants, the foundation said, were focused on strengthening families by accessing healthier food, expanding volunteer opportunities, and other endeavors.

Organizations in Patch communities receiving grants include Harbor Homes Health Center in Nashua, which received $233,000, toward COVID-19 relief efforts; Gather in Portsmouth, which received $35,000 to increase health food options on the Seacoast by increasing volunteer recruitment and management capacity; and $30,000 to the Greater Nashua Food Council, to expand volunteers, community gardening, and fresh produce distribution in Nashua.

The New Hampshire Food Bank also received $158,250 to increase access to fresh food by expanding the Fresh Food Pantry, the North Country Farmers' Cooperative, and mobile food pantries, and $50,000 went to the Granite United Way, too.

"Since its founding, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and its employees have cared for our communities just as much as we have supported the health of our members," Karen Voci, the president of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, said. "At no other time in our history have our community skills been put to the test as they have this past year. Our grant-making across the region this past year — to local and regional nonprofits, food organizations, and meal delivery partnerships in response to COVID-19 — has been responsive to the urgent needs of our community organizations and neighbors. Keeping these vital community resources strong is essential to public health, especially in underserved and underestimated urban and rural areas."

Since its inception in 1980, the foundation has granted more than $165 million in funds throughout the four states.

For more information about the foundation, visit this link.

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