Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — For over two decades, the Greater Boston Food Bank has partnered with Takeda Pharmaceuticals to promote their ‘Food as Health’ initiative to end hunger across Massachusetts. A big gift from Takeda has just taken that partnership to a new level.
At the opening ceremony for the Center for Community Health and Nutrition on Wednesday, it was revealed that Takeda was the center's corporate sponsor and that a $4 million grant from them made it possible.
The large sum marks the largest donation ever to the GBFB, and President Catherine D’Amato said she’s happy to work with a company that has similar goals.
“The values of Takeda align with the values of the Greater Boston Food Bank at this time, at this moment, and that makes the gift so powerful,” said D’Amato.
Takeda President Rhonda Pacheco was at the event and commented on the proud partnership.
“We also are very focused on ‘Food as Health,’ and this is a great partnership, again over two decades long,” said Pacheco. “We’re just excited to partner even more.”
D’Amato added that the new community health center opens plenty of doors for future endeavors, like more data-driven research for hunger relief solutions.
“We’re going to be able to be more targeted around the diseases in the community, what’s affecting this community, what type of program is best suited to fit this community, could be for children, could be for elders, could be targeted to veterans,” said D’Amato. “There are all kinds of options that the center now gives us.”
More information on the GBFB can be found on their website here.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.