The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) is providing a total of $45,000 in emergency financial assistance to more than 120 families and individuals who are current clients of the organization and are dealing with unemployment and lack of income due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Fish Family Foundation, the Shapiro Foundation, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley generously donated these critical funds, which aim to alleviate the pressure felt by hundreds of unemployed families who are not eligible to apply for unemployment financial assistance and other public benefits. These families and individuals are struggling to put food on the table and get the necessary medications to keep their family healthy during this crisis.

“Amid so much sadness and anxiety, we are so very thankful to be able to offer these critical funds to some of the most vulnerable families in our communities,” said Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS Executive Director. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Fish Family Foundation, the Shapiro Foundation, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, we can provide some relief and make a difference in the lives of hundreds of people affected by this unprecedented crisis.”

The families and individuals benefiting from this financial support were carefully chosen by MAPS program directors and will receive $250, $350, and $500 gift-cards to local grocery stores, depending on the family size and the number of children in each household. The health and social services organization distributed the first round of gift-cards this week and will continue the distribution of the remaining funds throughout April.

“We wish that we could help more people in our community facing similar financial needs, but unfortunately the funding is limited and the needs are great,” Paulo Pinto added. “Our staff are working every day with many other vulnerable clients to help them obtain food from local food pantries, as well as apply for rental assistance through the towns and cities where they live. We welcome all contributions to continue to provide emergency financial assistance to struggling families during the pandemic.”

MAPS has served the Portuguese-speaking communities of Massachusetts and others since 1970. The agency offers a wide range of free health and social services through its six offices in Cambridge, Somerville, Brighton, Dorchester, Framingham, and Lowell.