Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation awards nearly $900,000 for COVID-19 relief efforts 

PORTLAND — More than 60 Maine nonprofits have received nearly $900,000 from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation for COVID-19 relief efforts, including Maine Highlands Senior Center dba The Commons at Central Hall of Dover-Foxcroft and Penquis.

Harvard Pilgrim Foundation awarded the following grants in its initial round of funding starting in mid-March: Good Shepherd Food Bank, $150,000; United Way of Eastern Maine, $60,000; United Way of Greater Portland, $25,000; and Boys & Girls Club of Portland, $10,000. Most organizations across the state received a $10,000 grant for supporting community needs during the pandemic, such as food access and meal delivery, services for older adults and immigrant families, social and community services and emergency response. 

“During these challenging times, it is critically important to support our communities and the people of Maine who need help,” said Bill Whitmore, vice president of Maine regional market for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a local, not-for-profit health services company. “As part of our initial grant-making nearly two months ago, we made every effort to address the immediate needs facing nonprofit partners and communities throughout Maine, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting them in the weeks and months ahead.”

Last week, Harvard Pilgrim Foundation announced a $60,000 grant to Cooking for Community and the YMCA of Southern Maine to coordinate with local restaurants to prepare and deliver 1,000 weekly meals to older adults and immigrant families in need in Portland, Biddeford, Freeport and New Gloucester.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation committed more than $3.5 million in initial grants for COVID-19 relief efforts in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut.