Nourish Nantucket has received an anonymous $1 million donation to fund immediate food access for island residents.
The gift, which would singlehandedly cover a third of Nourish Nantucket’s entire $3 million campaign for the 2025 fiscal year, is expected to have a significant impact on Nantucket’s food insecurity crisis.
“We’re interested in funding existing programs, clearing waitlists, and exploring possible new programs,” said Meg Browers, Director of Development and Operations at Nourish Nantucket. “This donation is specifically to help feed more people now – getting food to those who need it most, without delay. We’re beyond grateful for this extraordinary act of generosity and the trust it represents in our mission.”
Existing estimates suggest that around one in five island residents struggles to afford food, a crisis that may be about to get even more severe if the Nantucket Food Pantry isn’t able to find a new home before its lease expires in April.
While the funds from this gift won’t be used to purchase a new facility, securing a long-term home for the food pantry remains one of Nourish Nantucket’s primary goals.
“This gift was given in a restricted capacity, so it is for food and food only,” Browers said. “That being said…we’ve been working hand-in-hand for the better part of 18 months with the Food Pantry to find a location.”
Instead, the money from the gift will go toward providing food to Nantucket residents immediately.
