Vermont Business Magazine Maximus Foundation has awarded a $2500 grant to NorthWest Family Foods (NWFF) food shelf, a program of Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO). In 2017, more than 6,000 visited NorthWest Family Foods, including single mothers, the elderly, veterans, underemployed and unemployed, disabled, refugees and Native Americans. Food shelf staff and volunteers distributed 350,000 pounds of food, not only at its location in St. Albans, but delivering food to shut-ins at elder care facilities, and satellite sites throughout the two counties. Most of this food is donated by community members, but in addition the food shelf purchased over $15,000 worth of food from the Vermont Food Bank.
NorthWest Family Foods is not only about emergencies, but has become a vital institution for community members in need. Robert Ostermeyer, Director of Franklin and Grand Isle Community Action says, “When a family is trying to raise children on a tight budget, manage on a fixed income, or deal with a sudden loss of a job, they only have so many options. They must pay the rent, utilities and fuel bills, and maintain the truck to get to work. But the food budget is flexible, and the one place where extra dollars can be found – which means going without food. That’s where we come in and Maximus Foundation support makes it possible.”
Maximus Foundation funds will provide operational support. “The MAXIMUS Foundation is proud to present NorthWest Family Foods with a grant in honor of its commitment to improving the lives of those it serves in the community,” said John Boyer, MAXIMUS Foundation Chairman. “Through its innovative services and solutions, NorthWest Family Food’s values continue to align with those of the MAXIMUS Foundation – helping disadvantaged populations while supporting individuals’ and families’ pursuit of self-sufficiency and improved health care outcomes. On behalf of the MAXIMUS Foundation, I am so grateful for NorthWest Family Food’s dedicated work.”
About MAXIMUS
Since 1975, MAXIMUS has operated under its founding mission of Helping Government Serve the People®, enabling citizens around the globe to successfully engage with their governments at all levels and across a variety of health and human services programs. MAXIMUS delivers innovative business process management and technology solutions that contribute to improved outcomes for citizens and higher levels of productivity, accuracy, accountability and efficiency of government-sponsored programs. For more information, visit www.maximus.com.
About the MAXIMUS Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of MAXIMUS, the Foundation extends the mission of the Company by identifying and awarding grants to partners with specialized expertise to deliver results within the same populations and communities served by the public programs the Company operates. The MAXIMUS Foundation is completely funded by MAXIMUS and its employees, and provides grants to local community organizations with programs and projects in the areas of child and youth development, health and community development.
Source: St. Albans, VT - Maximus Foundation 11.9.2017