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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Baker-Polito Administration announced on Friday that officials will distribute 1 million free at-home COVID-19 test kits to the state's eight largest food banks and food access organizations within the next week.
State officials say that the program aims serve those who may not have access to rapid testing through more traditional channels.
The tests, from iHealth Labs OTC, will be given out to individuals alongside their networks of 570 local food pantries across the Commonwealth. The state says that the following food banks and food access organizations will receive and distribute COVID test kits:
- Greater Boston Food Bank
- Worcester County Food Bank
- The Food Bank of Western MA
- Merrimack Valley Food Bank
- Community Servings
- Daily Table
- Food for Free
- About Fresh
Officials say that the eight largest food banks in the Commonwealth serve over 850,000 residents monthly, and will continue to do so with the added rapid test kits in stock.
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“We are very grateful to the Commonwealth for providing these at-home rapid tests. For the population that we serve it is not always easy to access these important health resources, so we are very happy to be able to provide them to our community through our programs and our partner agencies,” said Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Director of Programs Christina Maxwell.
State officials say that at-home rapid antigen test kits will continue to be available at local pharmacies or for online purchasing.
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