News Articles/Press

November 24, 2009 - Dianne L. DePippo, LICSW, President & CPO of United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton is pleased to announce United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton, Inc. (UWGAT) is investing an additional $51,000 into its eleven cities and towns (Attleboro, Berkley, Dighton, Norton, North Attleboro, Mansfield, Plainville, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Taunton) to meet increased basic human needs for emergency funds (utilities and housing) and food assistance. These funds are above and beyond United Way’s recent grants for basic human needs which totaled $144,257.00.  UWGAT is awarding fourteen (14) local food service providers (food pantries and soup kitchens) additional funding to support the increased demand of food assistance and to combat hunger. UWGAT is awarding three (3) emergency service providers additional monies to help meet the increased demand for housing and utility assistance, also within these eleven service communities. Ms. DePippo states, “UWGAT is acutely aware of the added challenges posed to food and emergency service providers as a direct result of the poor economy.”  She commented “with an economic climate that is putting more people than ever [in recent history] out of work and into food, housing, employment, and utility insecurities, we are doing our best to bridge the gaps and continue to be a resource to meet the most basic of needs.” She added that “in addition to investing dollars into the community to support long-term, sustainable change, we cannot dispute the current need for immediate relief. These Basic Human Need Grants have been geographically and equitably distributed to provide an additional layer of aid to these critical providers.”  She continues, “Our board and staff are highly committed to being as responsive as feasible in helping alleviate hunger and heating insecurities during this most difficult economic time. We are grateful that UWGAT is in the position to be able to invest supplemental funding to best support our communities.”