Fallon Community Health Plan to distribute more than $150,000 to hunger relief programs

Worcester, Mass., November 14, 2011—Fallon Community Health Plan (FCHP) today announced it will distribute more than $150,000 to dozens of food pantries and hunger relief programs throughout Massachusetts. The donations represent the total net proceeds from FCHP’s annual fundraising event held in September.

“The statistics are alarming and the critical need for food and nutritional support continues to grow,” said Mary C. Ritter, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Communications at Fallon Community Health Plan. “As a mission-focused organization, it’s essential for us to help by providing these grants to regional food banks and food distribution agencies.”

Since 2006, FCHP has been raising funds to support hunger relief programs through its annual fundraising initiative.

“So many individuals and families in our communities continue to struggle, especially during this time of economic hardship. For various reasons, our neighbors in cities and towns throughout Massachusetts, lack the financial resources to be well fed and healthy,” said U.S. Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), who has taken a leadership role in the fight against hunger. “Fallon Community Health Plan’s generosity over the years ensures that local food pantries can provide good food and hope for a better tomorrow.”

This year, more than 60 different companies participated in FCHP’s fundraising initiative, generously contributing to the effort. The following organizations are being specifically recognized for their donations and support: CVS Caremark, Epstein Becker & Green, Reliant Medical Group, TriZetto, Beacon Health Strategies, CaseNET, Income Research & Management, Keane, L.E.K. Consulting, Milliman, Need-a-Lift Medivan, Optum Health Specialty Benefits, Protector Group, The Revere Group, Sungard Availability Services, Integra Health Management and TD Bank.

The proceeds from the annual fundraiser will be distributed to the following hunger relief programs:

  • Berkshire Community Action Council, Pittsfield
  • Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc., Pittsfield
  • Western Mass. Labor Action, Pittsfield
  • Friends of Millbury Seniors
  • People’s First Food Pantry of Uxbridge
  • American Red Cross/New Bedford Food Pantry
  • Catholic Social Services of New Bedford
  • Citizens for Citizens, Inc., Fall River
  • Coyle & Cassidy High School Pantry, Taunton
  • Salvation Army/Fall River
  • Salvation Army/New Bedford
  • St. Anne’s Church Food Pantry, Fall River
  • The Abundant Table, Norfolk
  • Veteran’s Association of Bristol County, Inc., Fall River
  • All Saints Food Pantry, Haverhill
  • First Baptist Church Meals Program, Beverly
  • My Brother’s Table, Lynn
  • St. Joseph’s Food Pantry and Harvest of Hope, Salem
  • Alliance to Develop Power, Springfield
  • Christian Pentecostal Church, Holyoke
  • Gándara Mental Health Center, Springfield
  • Lorraine’s Food Pantry/Chicopee Emergency Food and Fuel
  • Open Pantry Community Services, Inc. Springfield
  • Westfield Food Pantry
  • Amherst Survival Center
  • Jubilee Cupboard, Ware
  • Providence Ministries for the Needy, Inc., Holyoke
  • Central Food Ministry Pantry, Lowell
  • MLMDJ/Food for the World, Lawrence
  • Open Pantry of Greater Lowell
  • Hope Food Pantry, Framingham
  • Marlborough Community Services
  • Salvation Army/Framingham
  • Daily Bread Food Pantry, Milford
  • Billerica Food Pantry
  • Bread of Life Food Pantry, Malden
  • Community Cupboard Food Pantry, Medford
  • Hudson Community Food Pantry
  • WHEAT Community Café, Clinton
  • Dedham Food Pantry
  • Franklin Food Pantry
  • Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Bellingham
  • Salvation Army, Canton
  • Open Door/Cape Ann Food Pantry
  • Braintree Holidays/Food Friends
  • Brockton Catholic Charities Food Pantry
  • Mary Ann Brett Food Pantry, Dorchester
  • Community Harvest Project, North Grafton
  • Friendly House, Worcester
  • Henry Lee Willis Center/Plumley Village Neighborhood Center, Worcester
  • Jeremiah’s Inn, Worcester
  • Kids Café/Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
  • Pernet Family Health Services, Worcester
  • Pleasant Street Baptist Church, Worcester
  • South High Community School, Worcester
  • St. Paul’s Food Pantry, Worcester
  • St. Peter’s Church, Worcester
  • Bread of Life Food Pantry, Worcester
  • Worcester County Food Bank
  • Worcester Local First
  • West Boylston Food Pantry
  • Sharing Cupboard Food Pantry, West Brookfield
  • Gardner Community Action Council
  • Ginny’s Food Pantry, Leominster
  • Highland Baptist Church, Fitchburg
  • Ruth’s Harvest Food Pantry, Leominster
  • United Neighbors of Cleghorn, Fitchburg
  • Athol Council on Aging
  • Salvation Army/Athol
  • Bread of Life/Webster-Dudley Food Share
  • CHIP-IN Food Pantry, Charlton
  • Mary Queen of the Rosary Food Pantry, Spencer
  • Southbridge Food Share
  • St. Mary’s Church/St. Vincent de Paul, Southbridge
  • Auburn Youth and Family Services
  • Center for Self-Reliance, Greenfield
  • Grafton Hill Neighborhood Association, Worcester

Christine Cassidy
christine.cassidy@fchp.org

About Fallon Community Health Plan
Founded in 1977, Fallon Community Health Plan is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care services organization. From traditional health insurance products available throughout Massachusetts for all populations, to innovative health care programs and services for seniors, FCHP supports the diverse and changing needs of all those it serves. FCHP has consistently ranked among the nation’s top health plans, and is the only health plan in Massachusetts to have been awarded “Excellent” Accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products.