The Daily ItemEAST BOSTON – The Meridian Charitable Foundation is accepting 2008 grant applications. Founded by East Boston Savings Bank (EBSB) in 1998, the foundation benefits nonprofit charitable organizations serving residents of North Shore communities.”We hope that the funds provided through these grants will improve the lives of many individuals in the surrounding communities,” said Robert Verdonck, president and chief executive officer of EBSB. “We have had a long history of community involvement in East Boston and the surrounding area, and we feel it’s appropriate to help the charitable organizations in the communities we serve.”Organizations that received 2007 grants include: CAB Health and Recovery Services, Peabody; Catholic Charities North, Lynn; Crossroads Family Shelter, East Boston; East Boston Central Catholic School; East Boston Harborside Community School; Friends of Excel Academy Charter School, East Boston; North Shore Community Action Programs, Peabody; North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Chelsea; Roca, Inc., Chelsea; and VNA of Middlesex-East & Visiting Nurse Hospice, Wakefield.According to Verdonck, an organization must be a charitable Massachusetts corporation 501(c)(3) as defined under IRS letter section 170 (b)(1)(A)(6) or (a)(2) in order to be eligible for a grant. Interested organizations can obtain additional information about requirements and application procedures on East Boston Savings Bank’s web site, www.ebsb.com or by contacting JoAnn Fuller at 978-977-2201. The application deadline for 2008 grants is July 18.