Red Sox announce fund for those impacted by COVID-19 pandemic

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox announced on Wednesday the creation of the Red Sox Foundation Emergency Hardship Fund, which is meant to help people in New England and Southwest Florida who are experiencing food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund was originally seeded with $300,000 by the Red Sox Foundation and is receiving additional support from multiple levels of the organization, including players, coaches and ownership.

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Those looking for assistance from the fund may apply online and recipients could receive a $250 gift card to a local grocery.

“We looked at so many issues facing families as a result of this pandemic to determine how we could best help,” said Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Bekah Salwasser in a release about the fund. “We found food insecurity to be the most pervasive in the communities where we operate and are hopeful this fund will help relieve some degree of worry and anxiety for families who are experiencing hardship during this unprecedented time.”

The Red Sox Spring Training facility is located in the southwest Florida city of Fort Meyers, one of the areas the organization has pledged to help.

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