community support fund

Economic Anxiety into Action

Meghan Keaney Anderson — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:36:04 -0400

A few weeks ago as the stock market went through yet another round of dives, a friend of mine got an email from his financial advisor that read, in jest, “I hope you’re not standing near any windows.” He told me about it with a shrug and I agreed, it’s getting pretty scary out there. The issue has continued to inhabit the uneasy consciousness of people of every age group from any social and economic background throughout the nation. It has replaced "weather" as the primary discussion topic among strangers. It has dominated nearly every section of every paper or media outlet, so much so that the recent presidential debate which was intended to focus on national security, returned again and again to one looming question: What do we do about the economy? read more »

Hunger: Another reason to get out the vote

Meghan Keaney Anderson — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:43:56 -0400

Next Tuesday after you submit your vote for president, please help us garner support for another important campaign, one that we can all agree on. On Tuesday, November 4th, United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley and the City of Boston are looking for volunteers to help collect canned goods and distribute information about the Community Support Fund at polling places throughout the city. Whether you vote in Boston or not, you can help us bring food and basic needs to families who have been hit particularly hard by this year's uncertain economy. read more »

Live United Heroes: Tom Simons and Todd Baird

Meghan Keaney Anderson — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:44:05 -0500

In early October, you didn’t need to be a social scientist to know, beyond a doubt, that something had changed in the latest economic swandive. The calls and emails coming into United Way for help not only came with greater frequency, they had a different tenor. I remember clearly sitting across the table from Tom Simons and Todd Baird of PARTNERS+simons on October 6th and trying to find the words to explain the situation growing in front of us. read more »

Making the Winter Warmer

Meghan Keaney Anderson — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:34:17 -0500

I would be remiss if I left for this long weekend without blogging about Winter Warmer, a benefit concert put on by Alastair Moock and his friends on Wednesday. In my day to day work at United Way and on this blog, I write a lot about how much can be achieved by the simple action of people coming together to help out. And every once in awhile I get to see it in action. Wednesday night was one such occasion. Here are some pictures from the event.

Learn more about the Community Support Fund, the cause at the heart of the Winter Warmer. read more »

Powerlifting his support for United Way

Erin Sunderland — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:23:14 -0400

Last Friday morning found me in a strange and unfamiliar location for that time of day: a large spacious gym on Church Street in Lowell, MA. read more »

United Way announces $2 million in emergency assistance for basic needs

Meghan Keaney Anderson — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:37:21 -0500

BOSTON – In a press conference today at Boston City Hall, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who has been leading a Food + Fuel campaign for Boston residents this winter, joined United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley President Michael Durkin as United Way announced details of $2 million investment to provide individuals and families with emergency assistance for food, heat and other basic needs this winter. read more »

Unprecedented Need: Unprecedented United Response

Meghan Keaney Anderson — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:39:52 -0400

BOSTON -- Eighteen United Ways from across the Commonwealth announced today that they are responding to widespread increases in need by uniting for a new statewide drive to provide emergency assistance for basic needs this winter. The emergency appeal, called the Community Support Fund, will leverage the support of residents from all corners of the Commonwealth to create a safety net for individuals and families in crisis. read more »