Steppingstone News

Fall River, MA- March 7, 2019 — Fallon Health’s Hunger Relief Initiative has awarded $1,500 to Steppingstone’s First Step Inn, which provides shelter and meals to Fall River’s most vulnerable population. The grant will enable the First Step Inn (FSI) to feed more homeless individuals in the winter months.

Fallon Health, a mission-focused, community-based not-for-profit health care services organization, is committed to provide support to address unmet health needs and improve the health of disadvantaged populations through its Fallon Health’s Community Benefits Grants Program. The grant recipients were selected based on their ability to achieve positive health outcomes in two critical focus areas: senior health initiatives that support older adults living independently or provide access to care; behavioral health resources, or food and utilities; and health initiatives supporting wrap-around services and resources for children and youth.

Executive Director Kathleen Schedler-Clark said this generous grant has the potential to impact many lives and continue the ongoing efforts Steppingstone has committed to helping the community.

“It is through the generosity of community groups like Fallon Health that we are able to feed more people at the First Step Inn. We are grateful for this grant and the positive ways it will affect the homeless population, especially during the cold winter months” she said.

The winter months are especially hard on those who are homeless and it is always challenging to find funding to increase the number of meals served to the overflow homeless population during the winter season. The goal of the FSI is to address the immediate basic needs of homeless individuals within the target population on Fall River. In addition to providing shelter, the staff at FSI assist guests with accessing healthcare through comprehensive case management while stabilizing their health with daily nutritious meals