Annual Chain of Giving 2022
The holidays are about people and communities coming together. On Thursday, Nov. 10, many of our closest friends and supporters gathered in person at our warehouse, for the first time since 2019, to unload and pass 1,200 turkeys—hand to hand—from truck to freezer, at our 17th annual Chain of Giving event.
Our perennial holiday kickoff, Chain of Giving symbolizes that we’re only as strong as our network of hunger relief partners. That’s over 600 community partners—pantries, meal programs and shelters–plus thousands of volunteers, advocates and donors who help to support our neighbors across Eastern Massachusetts who are food insecure.
This event engages civic and community leaders to draw awareness to the critical issue of food insecurity in our region. We were honored to have some of our local government officials attend this event: Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Attorney General and now Governor-Elect Maura Healey, Salem Mayor and now Lieutenant Governor-Elect Kim Driscoll,State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, as well as many other state and local officials.
We were also joined by our generous event sponsor, AMG. Affiliated Managers Group is a leading partner to independent, active investment-management firms around the world, and a supporter of GBFB and its mission.
Governor Baker, Attorney General Healey, and Mayor Wu delivered remarks at the morning event (see video below).
We are also extremely grateful to our food industry donors and partners. Without these companies, we would not be able to deliver turkeys to hungry families during
the holidays. Thank you to Amazon/Whole Foods, Big Y, BJ’s Wholesale Club, B&B Trading, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Decas Cranberry Group, The Goldberg Foundation, Hannaford Bros., Market Basket, Paul Wahlberg, Price Rite, Richard Broccoli Associates, Roche Bros., Shaw’s Supermarket and Star Market, Stop and Shop, Table Talk Pies, Target, Tourtellot Produce Company, Walmart and Wegmans.
Thank you to the journalists and media who joined us, and who elevated the awareness of hunger and the intersectionality of our mission with so many other social and economic issues. Thank you for bringing attention to these important issues in our communities.
Each year at this event, we present the Nally Award to a young person who has taken action to end hunger in their community. The Nally Award was established in 2006 in honor of Danny and Betsy Nally who were just 8 and 6 years old when they started their turkey drive for GBFB.
This year’s recipient was Everett High School’s Crimson Tide Marching Band. Everett High School is the most diverse high school in the state, and that diversity is reflected in the members of this nationally recognized performing arts group. They were the first band to be reorganized in Massachusetts during the middle of the pandemic, and that was a testament to their heart, soul, and commitment to one another and their community. They are exemplary community members who always say yes, ask how we can help, and give back to their community.
As household budgets continue to be stretched thin, most of our food pantry partners are reporting a surge of new clients coming to them for help.This holiday season, GBFB plans to provide 22 million healthy meals
to families across Eastern Massachusetts. The turkeys we moved at Chain of Giving is only the beginning. Consider helping today by making a donation. $30 will provide a family with a healthy holiday meal.
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