Two Arlington-based non-profits will benefit from grants to support cold storage.
Arlington Bridge Builders, which runs a food pantry and home-delivery services in addition to other social-safety-net efforts, will receive $22,000 to update its cooling system and purchase three new refrigerators. Bridges to Independence, which works with homeless children and families, will receive $10,853 to purchase a new refrigerator and freezer to accept more donations of perishable items.
They are among 12 non-profits across the region that will share in grant funding through the “Keeping It Cool” initiative, funded by the Morningstar Foundation.
The initiative “provides resources to purchase the cold storage while also providing technical assistance tailored to support specific needs for each entity,” said Susie and Michael Gelman, directors of the Morningstar Foundation.
Judy Kauer, a board member of Arlington Bridge Builders, said the support would be very helpful.
“It will allow us to serve more people with increased efficiencies and less energy cost,” she said.
Fraser Murdoch, CEO of Bridges to Independence, also was appreciative of the funding.
“The grant enhances the emergency shelter’s ability to provide food, and promotes the well-being and health of the families we serve,” he said.
Local small businesses – restaurants, grocery markets, meal-delivery services – also will receive funding to support cold-storage infrastructure as part of the grant program.
