GBFB surpasses fundraising goal for first-ever Spring for Meals Campaign
Media contact:
Meghan Orencole
morencole@agency451.com
978-270-1598
The Greater Boston Food Bank surpasses its fundraising goal for first-ever Spring for Meals Campaign for National Nutrition Month®
“Spring for Meals” campaign raised over $1 million to provide fresh produce for struggling families in need across Eastern Massachusetts
BOSTON – FEBRUARY 26, 2018 –The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), the largest hunger-relief organization in New England, today announced the launch of its first-ever Spring for Meals campaign – timed to celebrate National Nutrition Month® – exceeded its fundraising goal $ 1 million to increase GBFB’s distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables to families at risk of hunger across Eastern Massachusetts.
GBFB encouraged co-workers, friends and families to form teams as a fun way to challenge one another to achieve a team fundraising goal for Spring for Meals, sponsored by Stop & Shop, a GBFB Cornerstone Circle member and partner for over 30 years, and Citizens Bank, a GBFB President’s Circle and partner for nearly 20 years.
“In February, we released ‘An Avoidable $2.4 Billion Cost, a study sponsored by GBFB and conducted by The Greater Boston Food Bank, which reports the staggering amount hunger and food insecurity is costing Massachusetts in health-related costs,” said Catherine D’Amato, president and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank. “The Spring for Meals will enable us to increase the amount of fresh produce we provide, which will help promote the health of those we serve. We are very grateful that Stop & Shop and Citizens Bank are uniting to support us in this effort.”
Currently, one in 10 people in Eastern Massachusetts is at risk of hunger every day. The GBFB and Children’s Healthwatch study outlines the connection between food insecurity and health issues including diabetes, heart problems, lupus, arthritis, and more.
In 2017, 32 percent of the food GBFB distributed was fresh produce, and in 2018 it aims to increase that amount to 35 percent. About half of the food GBFB provides is perishable product, such as milk, eggs, and chicken, as well as fresh produce.
About The Greater Boston Food Bank
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. GBFB provides the equivalent of 50 million healthy meals annually, distributed through its network of 526 member food pantries, meal programs and shelters across Eastern Massachusetts. GBFB operates four direct service programs at nearly 70 sites throughout the area. A member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network, GBFB serves more than 140,000 people every month in its goal to create a hunger-free Eastern Massachusetts. For more information, visit us at GBFB.org, become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@gr8bosfoodbank) and Instagram, or call us at 617.427.5200.
About Stop & Shop
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC employs over 61,000 associates and operates 415 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. The company helps support local communities fight hunger, combat childhood cancer and promote general health and wellness – with emphasis on children’s educational and support programs. In its commitment to be a sustainable company, Stop & Shop is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and EPA’s Smart Way program and has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores. Stop & Shop is an Ahold company. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit stopandshop.com or facebook.com/stopandshop.
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $149.5 billion in assets as of December 31, 2016. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens helps its retail customers “bank better” with mobile and online banking, a 24/7 customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,200 ATMs and approximately 1,200 Citizens Bank branches in 11 states in the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Citizens also provides wealth management, mortgage lending, auto lending, student lending and commercial banking services in select markets nationwide. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers corporate, institutional and not-for-profit clients a full range of wholesale banking products and services including lending and deposits, capital markets, treasury services, foreign exchange and interest hedging, leasing and asset finance, specialty finance and trade finance.
Citizens operates through its subsidiaries Citizens Bank, N.A., and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania as Citizens Bank, Citizens Commercial Banking and Citizens One. Additional information about Citizens and its full line of products and services can be found at www.citizensbank.com.
