BOSTON — Lynn Economic Opportunity (LEO) received a $25,000 award from National Grid Foundation through United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.
The award is part of a $150,000 grant to provide emergency financial assistance to local families in need this winter, the organizations announced. The amount represents a $25,000 increase over last year and will allow United Way to serve additional communities, including Lynn.
The money will help families across Eastern Massachusetts meet basic needs, such as heating, food, and housing. It is being distributed in the wake of several storms causing unexpected household emergencies, a record-breaking cold snap earlier this winter, rising fuel costs, and proposals to eliminate fuel assistance from the federal budget.
“The funding from the National Grid Foundation is critical to our efforts to help families in need weather an emergency or unexpected financial crisis, such as the loss of a job or medical expense,” said Michael K. Durkin, United Way president and CEO. “United Way’s Family Fund, with National Grid’s support, partners with effective non-profit organizations in local communities to help provide families in crisis with direct emergency assistance to help them back on their feet.”
Last year, United Way’s Family Fund helped more than 30,100 households. Despite this assistance, United Way’s partner agencies also reported they could not help over 3,540 requests for assistance due to a shortage of funds. The funds this year will help close the gap between need and available resources as families require assistance.
“The National Grid Foundation is pleased to help our neighbors who are struggling at this time of year,” said Edward White, executive director of the National Grid Foundation. “United Way is able to use this funding to connect people with assistance when they need it most. Whether it’s home-heating fuel or providing basic needs, many people will be helped by this grant. We are thrilled to again team up with United Way through its Family Fund to help so many local residents in need.”
