ONLINE FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT MOBILE FARMERS MARKET EBT MATCHES

Each week a truck carrying affordable

fresh fruits and vegetables rolls up to Somerville's two housing developments

and a senior activity center and transforms parking lots into instant farmers

markets with low prices that most struggling families can afford-but some still

need more support. That's why the Mobile Market, a program of Shape Up

Somerville, offers matching funds for persons with demonstrated need, thereby doubling

the purchasing power of low-income residents including those receiving SNAP and

WIC support. But growing demand has already depleted the $5,000 in 2013 grant

funding for the $10-$20 matching grants-just as federal cuts to food stamps

programs are forcing families to make hard choices at the supermarket. By law,

City funds cannot be used for the matching funds. So residents are being called

on to donate to help fund the program through winter and next summer.

"Residents and families have come to

increasingly depend on the market, but with our matching funds depleted, we're

concerned that too many will be walking away without enough produce to get

through the week. So we're really hoping that residents will give this holiday

season to help their neighbors provide nutritious foods for their families,"

said David Hudson, Director of Shape Up Somerville, which runs the Mobile

Market.  "This really is local giving.

The kid whose dad can bring home more carrots, apples, peas and greens from the

market because of matching funds just may be the student who sits next to your

own child in school."

Shape Up Somerville has set a modest

goal of $3,000 to raise by mid-January, although it's estimated that a total of

$5,000 is needed to keep the market's matching funds program funded through

this winter and summer 2014. So, should the goal be reached, additional

donations will be welcome. Donations can be made at www.citizinvestor.com/project/somerville-mobile-farmers-market

"The growing popularity of the Mobile

Farmers' Market shows the growing importance that families of all backgrounds

place on nutrition partly as a result of the City's ongoing efforts to promote

healthy eating and food equity. But it is also an indicator of real need," said

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. "This community has a history of coming together to

support shared goals and I'm sure we can count on Somervillians to help other

Somervillians and ensure this vital program continues. I plan to personally

make a donation myself."

Citzinvestor.com invites municipalities

to submit projects, already approved but lacking necessary funding, ranging

from building a new playground to creating a memorial or funding small business

initiatives.  Residents may pledge any

amount of money toward meeting the community's goal. From its mission

statement: "Not only can citizens invest in projects from their local

governments, but Citizinvestor also gives citizens the opportunity to propose

ideas they have to improve their community to their respective local government

officials."

Funds raised through this campaign will

help provide assistance in the form of matching funds for residents with a

demonstrated need, including those receiving SNAP or WIC benefits. Citizens

pledging funds will only pay their portion if 100% of the goal of $3,000 is

reached. If the goal is not met by the proposed deadline, the proposed project

will receive no funding.