Seventeen community organizations have been awarded grants totaling $71,500 by East Boston Savings Bank’s Meridian Charitable Foundation (MCF).

The 2008 recipients are: Boston Natural Areas Network; CityKicks, Dorchester; East Boston Central Catholic School; East Boston Community Education Center; East Boston Harborside Community School; East Boston Main Streets; East Boston Social Centers Inc.; Maverick Landing Community Services, East Boston; NOAH (Neighborhood Of Affordable Housing), East Boston; Salesian Boys & Girls Club, East Boston; Travelers Aid Family Services, Boston.

Also receiving grants were Family & Children’s Service of Greater Lynn; Greater Lynn Senior Services, Lynn; CAB Health and Recovery Services, Peabody; Cooperative Economics for Women, Revere; For Kids Only Afterschool, Salem; and VNA of Middlesex-East & Visiting Nurse Hospice, Wakefield.