From Community Servings, May 15: Community Servings, the state’s only home-delivered meals program for the critically and chronically ill, was awarded $23,000 in grants this winter from foundations and corporations in support of its meals and nutrition program for people in Cambridge.

Biogen Idec Foundation and the Cambridge Community Foundation’s A.J. Americo Charity Fund each gave $5,000, and the Cambridge Community Foundation gave $3,000. A $10,000 grant from Novartis will support Eating for Health Diabetes Nutrition Education Program, a four-class workshop series for clients and the broader community.

The donations will help provide 19,500 nutritious and medically appropriate meals to nearly 70 people in Cambridge suffering from HIV/AIDS, cancer, renal disease, diabetes, lung disease, cardiac disease, multiple sclerosis, lupus, liver disease and other illnesses.

In addition to meal delivery, the grant from Biogen Idec Foundation will support 135 hours of nutrition education for clients who are no longer in need of delivered meals and for people in Cambridge who need to manage their illness through diet. Nutrition and cooking classes are led by a registered dietitian and community nutritionist and teach how to maintain and improve health through food choices and preparation techniques.