MMA Human Services Council to hold Annual Meeting on June 22

The MMA Human Services Council will host its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 22, at the Lexington Community Center.

The meeting will feature a discussion about living in a post-pandemic world, covering topics such as food insecurity and inflation.

Catalina López-Ospina, vice president of engagement for Project Bread, will open the meeting with a discussion about trends in food insecurity. She will discuss how families and individuals are coping with the high cost of groceries caused by inflation, and ways that communities can support families who may be experiencing food insecurity for the first time.

A panel will then discuss the work they are doing to address food insecurity and inflation. Panelists will include Pat Baker, senior policy analyst with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, and Jill Tsakiris, program manager for Open Table in Maynard.

MMA HSC President Laura Ducharme, the community services coordinator in Acton, will provide an association update.

The meeting will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the community center is located at 39 Marrett Road in Lexington.

The cost to attend the meeting, which includes breakfast and a morning snack, is $25 for HSC members and $30 for nonmembers. (Anyone who has not paid their HSC dues for fiscal 2022 by June 21 will be charged the nonmember rate.) Payment can be made by cash or check at the meeting, and checks should be made out to MMA HSC. Payment can also be mailed to Acton Town Hall, ℅ Laura Ducharme, 472 Main St., Acton, MA 01720. (Those who register online will receive a confirmation email that says a zero balance is due. Please ignore this automated response; it is incorrect and cannot be changed.)

Due to a recent rise in COVID-19 cases, attendees will be required to wear masks at this in-person meeting except when eating, drinking or presenting. On the day of the event, attendees must show proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID (card, photo or QR code). (Religious or medical vaccine exemptions are allowed with a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours.) These safety protocols are subject to change based on the latest public health data and guidance.

The cancellation deadline for non-COVID-related cancellations is June 21.