​HAMBURG, N.Y. — ​Hilbert College is being awarded a record-setting grant for the second year in a row.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is awarding the $523,000 grant, which breaks a record set last year as the largest award in the school’s history.

"After nearly two years of recovery from a pandemic that has hit vulnerable populations the hardest, we must continue to address the challenges communities across New York State are facing: food and housing insecurity, lack of access to basic healthcare including vaccines, lack of equity within the healthcare professions, and racial and economic healthcare disparities made worse during COVID-19," said Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, chief executive officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. "We must continue to support the full range of services that make for healthy people and communities."

College officials say the funding will support the work at their Franciscan Advocacy & Resource Center. The center serves students working to overcome life issues, helping them thrive in their education.

"This is a very significant day for Hilbert College," Hilbert President Michael S. Brophy, Ph.D. said. "I am extremely grateful to The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for this record-setting grant. The continued support for the Franciscan Advocacy & Resource Center at Hilbert will continue to be truly transformative for the students we serve and the community at large."

The grant will also help fight student food insecurity, increase funding for scholarships and other services.