Families are in crisis. This year, Massachusetts has seen a drastic increase in financial instability among its residents as costs of food, heating, and other basic needs have risen.

• Prices for groceries, including basic staples, have risen sharply;
• Milk prices have increased 21% over the past year and egg prices are up 35%.
• In addition, emergency shelters have reached their capacity, forcing the Commonwealth to place more than 600 families into motels.
• Greater Boston is predicted to have the 5th largest job loss in the country in 2009.

To respond to the urgency of this situation, United Ways in Massachusetts have joined forces to launch a statewide special emergency appeal to the public to provide swift assistance for basic needs. You can help