FSRI Given $10,000 Grant to Aid Battle Against Coronavirus
PROVIDENCE, R.I (WLNE) – Family Service of Rhode Island (FSRI) announced on Thursday that the “Be Safe” program was given a $10,000 grant from Tufts Health Plan.
The program delivers cleaning items, food, and other essentials to low-income Rhode Islanders to help them “be safe” during the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to FSRI, Tufts Health Plan also provided $15,000 in in-kind donations which include bags, hand sanitizers, and “fun kits,” for kids to increase fine motor skills.
The CEO of FSRI, Margaret Holland McDuff expressed how grateful they are for the generous support.
“This assistance is particularly timely since we are getting hundreds of requests daily for help-senior citizens, families, and individuals, from Providence and well beyond. They can’t leave their homes and have little income to cover the increased cost of living with COVID-19. Our BeSafe campaign brings help right to their doorstep.”
She continued, “And thanks to Tufts Health Plan’s ‘fun kits,’ kids cooped up at home will have new things to do!” Nearly 5,000 Rhode Islanders have benefited from Family Service of Rhode Island’s BeSafe.”
“Agencies like Family Service of Rhode Island are on the front lines of this crisis and facing an unprecedented demand for services by those impacted by the coronavirus,” said Juan Lopera, vice president of marketing & RI Medicaid for Public Plans at Tufts Health Plan.
“This funding will help Rhode Island families facing economic barriers to secure items essential to their health, including food and toiletry products. We are proud to collaborate with such an outstanding community-focused organization during this challenging time,” said Lopera.
Residents looking to donate should text BESAFE to 44321, call 401-519-2269, or visit www.familyserviceri.org/besafe.
Any residents who need assistance are told to call 401-519-2283.
©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2020
