Hutchins Family Foundation Partners with Sharpton’s National Action Network (NAN) to spearhead meal distribution in US-based CARE’s first domestic relief program
New York, NY (April 27, 2020) — The Hutchins Family Foundation is proud to help international humanitarian relief organization CARE in launching its first-ever domestic relief program in response to COVID-19 with “CARE Packages” of thousands of nutritious meals. Executed in partnership with Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, the meals will be sent to frontline health workers and vulnerable people affected by COVID-19 in the Bronx and Harlem, two of the hardest hit neighborhoods by the pandemic in the United States. These meals mark the first time that CARE has delivered relief domestically since its founding in 1945 when CARE first coined the term “CARE Package®” by sending packages filled with food and other essentials to survivors of World War II.
“As the world fights this disease, this partnership will truly make a difference for so many residents in Harlem and the Bronx,” said Reverend Al Sharpton. “These CARE Packages represent compassion and solidarity for those who lack access to healthy meals and are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Now is the time to act and take care of our most vulnerable. Together we will support each other in times of great struggle and uncertainty.”
This initiative, which launches the inaugural domestic CARE Package, is being made possible by a gift from the Hutchins Family Foundation, founded by Debbie and Glenn Hutchins. “Since New York City is the epicenter of the crisis and communities of color have been disproportionately affected, our goal is to assist families and healthcare workers in Harlem and the Bronx where the need is acute”, said Glenn Hutchins. “We are pleased to have forged this partnership with the National Action Network, and of course, CARE, where I co-chair the board.”
The Hutchins Family Foundation, among other projects, has created the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University, which is chaired by Mr. Hutchins; the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at The Brookings Institution, which is co- chaired by Mr. Hutchins; and the Chronic Fatigue Initiative, which conducted basic research into the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. The Hutchins Family Foundation is also a benefactor to the Obama Foundation where Mr. Hutchins serves as a Trustee.
Over the next three months, CARE will be rolling out domestic programming across the country in partnership with grassroots organizations including Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, the American Nurses Association (ANA), National Association of Health CARE assistants (NAHCA), Operation Gratitude, and many more. These American CARE Packages will consist of vital supplies and nutrition, relief packages focused on mental health support for frontline healthcare workers, and financial assistance for those facing economic hardship as a result of the pandemic.
“For 75 years, CARE has been on the frontlines of disaster response and humanitarian aid around the world. Today the need is more urgent than ever in a world facing one of the greatest challenges of our time,” says Michelle Nunn President and CEO of CARE. “The COVID-19 pandemic knows no borders – and neither does CARE’s work. Now, we are unveiling a new CARE Package, specially built to help solve the problems we are facing at home and overseas. CARE is calling on all Americans to help deliver new CARE Packages supporting today’s heroes: frontline and medical workers, caregivers, individuals in need, and communities around the world, with digital, physical, and financial support.”
CARE is calling on all Americans to help deliver new CARE Packages® supporting today’s heroes: frontline and medical workers, caregivers, individuals in need, and communities around the world, with digital, physical, and financial support. Visit the www.carepackage.org website to make a donation to send a CARE Package® to a frontline hero, an American in need, or to vulnerable communities around the world.
About CARE: Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty that reached 68 million vulnerable people in 100 countries around the world in 2019. Since the onset of the pandemic, CARE has pivoted their life-saving food security, health services, educational, and women’s empowerment programming to directly fight the spread and impact of the disease. As of April 17th, 2020, CARE has reached a total of 107.4 million people with COVID specific or adapted programs. 1.9 million people have been directly reached with hygiene messaging, over 600,000 with hygiene kits, over 700,000 with increased clean water, over 100,000 with food or cash assistance and over 20,000 with handwashing stations.
About National Action Network (NAN): National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality or gender. For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net.
About Hutchins Family Foundation: The Hutchins Family Foundation, was founded by Debbie and Glenn Hutchins. Among other projects, the foundation has created the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University, which is chaired by Mr. Hutchins; the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at The Brookings Institution, which is co- chaired by Mr. Hutchins; and the Chronic Fatigue Initiative, which conducted basic research into the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. The Hutchins Family Foundation is also a benefactor to the Obama Foundation where Mr. Hutchins serves as a Trustee.
