Press Release

The Greater Boston Food Bank Kicks Off Sixth Annual Holiday Meal Drive
Largest hunger-relief organization in New England aims to provide 9 million meals throughout the holiday season to Eastern Massachusetts families in need

BOSTON – October 20, 2016 – The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), the largest hunger-relief organization in New England, today announced its sixth annual Holiday Meal Drive. The fundraising effort aims to provide nutritious holiday meals to residents of Eastern Massachusetts at risk of hunger, among them children, seniors, veterans, college students and working families. From now until the end of December, teams and individuals can donate online to help GBFB reach its 2016 goal of distributing 9 million meals throughout the holidays.

“For most of us, the approaching holiday season is a time of happy anticipation, but for many, the return of colder weather adds additional strains to budgets with expenses such as higher electric and heating costs,” said Catherine D’Amato, president and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank. “With one in nine Eastern Massachusetts residents not knowing where his or her next meal will come from, our Holiday Meal Drive goal is to provide a healthy meal to as many of these struggling individuals and families as possible.”

GBFB encourages local businesses, clubs, church groups, families and groups of friends to form a Holiday Meal Drive fundraising team as a fun way to challenge one another to achieve a fundraising goal. To donate as a fundraising team or as an individual, please visit http://www.gbfb.org/holidaymeals.

A $20 donation provides a healthy holiday meal for a family of five. A meal consists of turkey and the traditional fixings, including green beans, corn, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, squash and apples. GBFB offers alternative options, including chicken, fish and tofu, for those with dietary restrictions.

GBFB initiated the Holiday Meal Drive in 2010 to provide individuals and families across 190 Eastern Massachusetts cities and towns with nutritious meals during the holiday season. Ninety-one cents of every dollar received goes directly to hunger-relief efforts.

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 78% of the hunger-relief food distributed by its 550 member agencies throughout the 190 cities and towns in Eastern Massachusetts. GBFB has as many as 60 direct service programs that provide the highest quality of food and healthy meals for as many as 500,000 people a year in an effort to create a hunger-free Eastern Massachusetts. GBFB is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. For more information, visit us at GBFB.org, become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@gr8bosfoodbank), or call us at 617.427.5200.