Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced $1,127,637.38 in federal funding headed to the City of Lawrence as reimbursement for the city’s program that provided food and meals to individuals in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded this funding to Lawrence through its Public Assistance grant program.

“The City of Lawrence went above and beyond over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver for families. Their food pantry is an excellent example of the way city officials worked with local community partners to ensure parents experiencing financial hardship could put food on the table for their children,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I could not think of a more deserving program for this FEMA grant, and I’m glad to see federal recognition for these critical local efforts that got us through the toughest stretches of the pandemic.”

The City of Lawrence created emergency measures for helping individuals facing food insecurity, including the elderly, low-income, homeless, and COVID-positive individuals from June 2020 and July 2021. A total of 84,470 meals were provided by the food pantry located in the Lawrence Senior Center. Meals were also delivered to those unable to reach the Senior Center. The costs covered include those of providing food, storing food, delivering food, and advertising the pantry of public information.

"I'm thrilled to hear Congresswoman Trahan announcing the $1.1M+ FEMA reimbursement made to the City of Lawrence, to address the food insecurity crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Lawrence Mayor Brian A. DePeña. Food insecurity skyrocketed during the pandemic and called for a genuine need to address these issues for Lawrence residents. Obtaining this FEMA reimbursement for the nearly year-long COVID-19 pandemic is a high priority for our city, in which we incurred and continue to incur unbudgeted COVID-related expenses.

The $1.1 million to the City of Lawrence is part of a larger, over $1.5 billion in Public Assistance grants, that FEMA has awarded Massachusetts communities for pandemic-related expenses. Trahan has consistently voted in favor of funding for FEMA’s disaster relief programs. 

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