Worcester to allocate $2M to United Way of Central Mass. for food insecurity

A large light-colored brick building with two curved staircases leading up to the entrance and a pointed tower coming from the center.

PHOTO | Timothy Doyle Worcester City Hall

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By Isabel Tehan

The City of Worcester is set to allocate $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to the United Way of Central Massachusetts, which the nonprofit will use to support its food insecurity programs.

Worcester-based United Way of Central Mass. will distribute the funds to local food pantries and other service providers in three waves, according to a Tuesday press release from the city. Worcester was awarded roughly $146 million in ARPA funding from the federal government.

“This funding is in direct response to one of the greatest needs facing our community right now – food insecurity,” City Manager Eric Batista said in the press release. “We are grateful for the UWCM and their steadfast commitment to the city, along with the Worcester Food Task Force for its advocacy and dedication to addressing this challenge. It is a great sense of relief knowing we have a partner who will work hard to get food into the hands of the most vulnerable in our community at a very critical time.”

United Way of Central Mass. reported annual revenue of more than $12 million in 2021, the most recently available data from nonprofit information provider GuideStar.

“Like all things in Worcester, this is a partnership and collaboration,” Tim Garvin, president and CEO of the United Way of Central Mass., said in a press release. “An urgent issue such as food insecurity will take continued work, and partnerships like this are key. The United Way is excited to work with the City of Worcester and its Worcester Food Task Force to help make sure the most vulnerable in our community have access to healthy food. This is a gigantic step in the right direction to fighting food insecurity in Worcester.”