Pernet Family Health Celebrates 70 Years of Strengthening Families

By Hank Stolz

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WORCESTER, MA– Joel Wallen, the Associate Executive Director of Pernet Family Health, discussed the organization’s 70th anniversary on the Talk of the Commonwealth. He provided an overview of Pernet’s history, its mission of “Strengthening Families,” and the wide range of services it offers to approximately 12,000 individuals annually in the Worcester area.

“Our tagline is Strengthening Families. We’ve been doing that for 70 years, and this is an opportunity to highlight both the history of the work that we’ve done, as well as looking forward to some of the work that we want to continue in the future.”

Wallen highlighted the organization’s focus on supporting families facing challenges like poverty and those who are new to the country. He shared a specific story of their holistic support for a family who lost their home in a fire. He also promoted upcoming anniversary events, detailed the creation of a new “Choice Pantry,” and made a direct appeal for donations and support, emphasizing the constant and growing need for food. “We really think that we will continue to see the needs increase over the next few months, especially in the winter months, as people are having to choose between food and gas to heat their houses or electricity, electricity bills.”

Their Thanksgiving program, provides 10,000 pounds of food to over 350 families, sourced primarily from individual donors.