SWAMPSCOTT — Anchor Food Pantry has received a $45,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation.
The pantry, which is located at 86 Burrill St., allows families from Swampscott and Nahant to choose their food items as needed. Since its inception in 2020, it has participated in numerous local events that have provided food and other items to individuals in need.
The grant funds received are part of the foundation’s $30 million grant program, which gives to nonprofit organizations that are either located in or serve Essex, Middlesex, or Suffolk Counties. Founded by Winchester natives Bill and Joyce Cummings in 1986, the foundation has been giving back to nonprofit organizations that its commercial real estate business, Cummings Properties, manages.
The funding will be divided and distributed to the pantry throughout three years. According to Anchor President Laura Spathanas, the grant comes at a crucial time for the pantry, as its needs are at an all-time high.
“We are in the process of determining how we can serve our community and the increased needs. This award will allow us to increase the volume of food and hygiene items we can provide to our neighbors facing food insecurity,” Spathanas said. “These funds would allow us to fully stock the pantry throughout each month allowing an equity in choices for each visitor at each of their visits.”
Anchor is one of 150 recipients that were chosen from a pool of more than 700 applicants. The beneficiaries were selected by a committee of nearly 100 volunteers.
“We believe strongly that grant decisions will be more equitable when made by a diverse group of community members,” Cummings Foundation Executive Director and Trustee Joyce Vyriotes said. “We’re incredibly grateful to the dozens of individuals who participated in our democratized philanthropic process.”
The foundation has now awarded approximately $500 million to nonprofits in total.
