Quincy Community Action Programs Inc

Quincy, MA –March 14, 2022 - The Rockland Trust-Blue Hills Charitable Foundation awarded $25,000 to Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc. (QCAP) to support the renovation and expansion of their Southwest Community Food Center. The Food Center, which serves nutritious meals to residents across Norfolk County, is expanding to meet the community’s growing need for services.

“QCAP has been at the forefront of providing food, nutritional resources, and other relief for more than 50 years,” said Edward H. Seksay, President and Chair of the Rockland Trust-Blue Hills Charitable Foundation. “We are honored to support the expansion of the Southwest Community Food Center so QCAP can help individuals and families struggling with food insecurity.”

QCAP’s Southwest Community Food Center provides food relief, helps families apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and promotes nutrition awareness. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity for families, as many saw an immediate loss of income due to the lockdown of businesses and the start of the economic downturn that began in March 2020. As a result, QCAP’s Southwest Community Food Center saw a 50% increase in the number of clients receiving food.

“We are thrilled to receive this donation from Rockland Trust in support of QCAP’s new Southwest Community Food Center building. Rockland Trust has a longstanding commitment to giving back to the community – including when they helped make our Head Start Early Learning building a reality over ten years ago – and today they are a key supporter for the new Food Center. We are so grateful for this contribution as we continue to raise funds for our renovations.” – Beth Ann Strollo, CEO of QCAP

With an increase in Food Center clients, QCAP was quick to realize that their long-time food pantry location at 1 Copeland St in Quincy was too small to meet the increased demand for food or to maintain the social distancing safety measures necessary to keep both staff and clients safe. To meet the growing needs of the community, while adhering to COVID precautions, QCAP is purchasing a new building that will triple the square footage, provide a loading dock for unloading food, and create space to house other QCAP services.  These changes will assist clients with accessing much needed wrap-around services including housing, energy, and childcare assistance in one location.