Press Release: Grant Supports Senior Services

Open Table Receives $7,000 Award from Greater Lowell Community Foundation

Grant will be used to address food insecurity among seniors in MetroWest area 

Concord and Maynard, MA (May 8, 2023) – Open Table, the MetroWest charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, today announced that it has been awarded a $7,000 grant from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation in support for senior services. Open Table will use the grant to address food insecurity among senior citizens in its service area. 

With 20 percent of its clients identifying as seniors, Open Table has long worked in collaboration with local councils on aging and housing authorities to provide groceries and prepared meals to seniors through its fresh-air pantry, mobile pantries, and home delivery services. 

“Research tells us that the senior population is increasing in our communities and that economic and food insecurity is prevalent in this population,” said Alexandra DePalo, executive director, Open Table. “The Greater Lowell Community Foundation grant will help Open Table respond to increasing demands and expand our capacity to serve food insecure seniors.”

Seniors in Massachusetts experience high rates of economic and food insecurity exacerbated by the high cost of housing, medical care, transportation, and other essential items in the state. According to the Feeding America study, “The State of Senior Hunger in 2020,” 5.3% of seniors in Massachusetts are food insecure and 1.8% have very low food security, for a state total of 7.1% of all seniors.  The University of Massachusetts “Living Below the Line, Economic Insecurity and Older Americans” study found that Massachusetts ranked first among all states with 61.7% of all single seniors living below the index rate. 

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation

Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of almost $60 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $35 million to the Greater Lowell community.

About Open Table

Open Table is a 501(c)(3) established in 1989. Its mission is to address hunger in the local community by providing healthy food in a welcoming environment while respecting the dignity and diversity of those served. For more information, visit: www.opentable.org

Media Contact:

Joan Geoghegan
joan@cavalier-communications.com
978-371-3921