WALTHAM, MA – As part of its ongoing commitment to being a partner for progress in the communities it serves, National Grid today announced plans to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by supporting non-profits across Massachusetts that uplift our communities and continue Dr. King’s important work.

National Grid employees will engage in several days of service, volunteering their time to support homebound residents and address food insecurity across the Commonwealth with Community Servings in Jamaica Plain, packaging winter clothing for children in need with Cradles to Crayons in Newton, teaming with City Year at the Holmes Innovation School in Dorchester to beautify the school and assemble resource kits, and engaging with students and families at The BASE’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. College, Career & Health Fair in Roxbury to share opportunities for careers in clean energy. National Grid is also sponsoring Embrace Boston’s MLK Embrace Honors: Friends & Family Sneaker Affair, which will bring together community and civic leaders from across the region to elevate and celebrate Dr. King’s vision and legacy.

“At National Grid, we are committed to being a partner for progress across the communities we serve and working with local organizations to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives,” said Melissa Lavinson, Head of Corporate Affairs, New England for National Grid. “No one should be without warm clothes or a warm meal. No one should have to choose between heating and eating. Everyone should know what opportunities are available to them for the future and have the support and resources to achieve their goals and dreams. It will take all of us to realize the vision of Dr. King and a sustained commitment to make it happen.” 

More information about the volunteer opportunities and sponsorship can be found below:

The BASE’s Martin Luther King, Jr. College, Career & Health Fair

When: Saturday, January 13th at 10:00 a.m.

Where: Melnea Cass Recreation Center, 120 M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard, Roxbury, Boston

What: This fair will bring together over 500 students, alumni, and family members, along with over 60 organizations, including National Grid. Our Strategic Workforce Development team and colleagues from across the business will be showcasing at the College, Career, & Wellness Fair at the Melnea Cass Recreation Center in Roxbury.

Community Servings

When: Saturday, January 13^th at 12:30 p.m.

Where: 179 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, Boston

What: National Grid employees will volunteer with Community Servings to prepare “Blizzard Boxes,” which contain essential food items catered to the medical needs of critically ill and homebound individuals across the Commonwealth should harsh winter weather hinder their ability to grocery shop or have food delivered.

Embrace Boston’s MLK Embrace Honors: Friends & Family Sneaker Affair

When: Sunday, January 14^th at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Big Night Live, 110 Causeway Street, Boston

What: National Grid is a proud sponsor of this event, which will honor outstanding achievements of notable individuals, including Paul and Sandy Edgerley, Demond and Dr. Kia Martin, Keith and Angela Motley, Damian and Yndia Wilmot, and others, for the significant impacts made in their respective fields and within the community.

City Year

When: Monday, January 15^th 8:30 a.m.

Where: Holmes Innovation School, 40 School Street, Boston

What: National Grid is recognized as City Year Greater Boston’s Civic Engagement Team Sponsor and is proud to support the annual MLK Service Day.  National Grid employees will participate in beautification projects and create resource kits for the Holmes Innovation School in Dorchester.

Cradles to Crayons

When: Friday, January 19^th at 10:00 a.m.

Where: Giving Factory, 281 Newtonville Ave, Newtonville, MA

What: National Grid employees will donate their time to Cradles to Crayons to pack and sort much-needed winter clothing to be distributed to children in need.

These efforts are part of National Grid’s “Grid for Good” program, a companywide corporate responsibility and impact initiative that supports the communities we serve. Through Grid for Good, National Grid will contribute at least $4 million in funding to organizations that align with its three responsibility and impact pillars -- (1) workforce development and STEM education, (2) economic opportunity and social justice, and (3) environmental stewardship and sustainability – with a focus on historically underrepresented and overburdened communities.

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.