Spier Family Matching Donations For Foxborough YMCA Food Drive

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Two Foxborough residents have issued a $50,000 challenge grant to support the Hockomock Area YMCA's efforts to support kids and families during the coronavirus pandemic.

Greg and Kathy Spier said they will match every donation made Aug. 10 through Sept. 26 up to $50,000.

"When the 'Spier Family Kindness for Kids Challenge' is met, it will result in $100,000 to benefit food security initiatives through the Hockomock Area YMCA," a YMCA spokersperson said.

Since the pandemic started, when the YMCA’s doors were closed in March, the Hockomock Area YMCA worked to provide food for people in need, as well as emergency child care for essential workers. As of Aug. 7, 152,000 meals and 15,623 grocery bags were provided to the community, according to the YMCA. The food benefited families in Foxborough, Franklin, North Attleboro, Bellingham, Milford and Wrentham.

"In these challenging times, our YMCA has been there for our community providing an important safety net for so many kids and families," Hockomock YMCA president Ed Hurley said in a statement."

"Greg and Kathy Spier have been passionate partners for so many years with our Y," Hurley added. "This incredible challenge will help our neighbors when they need it most and is the latest example of the Spier family’s commitment to our YMCA and the communities we are so proud to serve.”

Greg and Kathy Spier, run the Spier Fqmily Foundation, a nonprofit established by the late Alex Spier to "leave the world a better place than he found it."

Kathy Spier said she hopes that this challenge "will inspire people to make a gift to help feed kids and families and spread kindness and a caring hand to those who need it during a difficult time in our communities."

“Our family has always believed in giving back to the community and this YMCA," Greg Spier added. "We have learned from our mom and dad the importance of paying it forward and making your community a better place. Through this challenge, and with the support of our community, together we will make a difference providing food access to our neighbors in need during this pandemic."

To learn more about this challenge, visit the YMCA's website.