Chairman Russ Sanford of the Winthrop Foundation called an emergency board meeting Wednesday morning to begin the presentation of grants to local organizations relative to the needs of Winthrop residents.
The seven-member board voted to award grants to two local organizations. Mi Amore, an organization led by Jeffrey Carson that distributes food to residence in need and runs the Winthrop Food Pantry. CASA, an agency led by LeighAnn Eruzione Callinan that helps families affected by substance abuse and provides safe alternatives also qualified for a grant.
“We saw a growing need for Mi Amore’s services during the COVID-19 crisis and we thought it was appropriate to fund that grant,†said Sanford. “CASA is a group that works with youths and families relative to substance abuse and domestic abuse and other needs during this crisis. They work with the School Department as well as the Police Department directly finding the needs of residents in our town.â€
The Foundation grants are part of $2.5 million in funds that the town received from Massport Authority in an agreement that was encouraged by Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo.
In addition to Sanford, the board members of the Winthrop Foundation are Jeffrey Turco, Vincent Crossman, Terence Delehanty, Gus Martucci, Vasili Mallios, and Brian Leslie.
Local organizations may apply for non-emergency grants on the Winthrop Foundation website.