The Greater Boston Food Bank to Launch Annual Hunger Free Holidays Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Greater Boston Food Bank to Launch Annual Hunger Free Holidays Campaign

Amid Historic Inflation, GBFB to Invest Over $3M to Support Community Partners Throughout Eastern Massachusetts

BOSTON – (October 31, 2022) –The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), the largest hunger-relief organization in New England, has announced an over $3 million investment in its community partners as it launches its 11th annual Hunger Free Holidays fundraising campaign sponsored by Stop and Shop with additional support from the Biogen Foundation. This year, GBFB aims to support our Eastern Massachusetts community by providing 22 million healthy meals during the holiday season across 190 cities and towns in Eastern Massachusetts.

“Too many families continue to struggle to provide for their basic needs because of the lingering economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis coupled with the worst inflation we have seen in over 40 years,” said Catherine D’Amato, president and CEO of GBFB. “Nobody should have to go hungry this holiday season. We are investing directly in our nearly 600 food distribution partners so they can continue to meet the need in their communities. During the upcoming season of giving, we are committed to shining a light on the ongoing need for food assistance and our goal to end hunger here in Eastern Massachusetts.”

Since the onset of COVID-19, GBFB has seen devastating levels of food insecurity that have persisted throughout 2022, with inflation and the rising cost of groceries and other basic needs being key drivers. GBFB purchases 75% of the food it distributes and has seen a 15 percent overall increase in the price of food in 2022 compared to 2021.

Our most vulnerable residents are most impacted by inflation. GBFB’s most recent food insecurity study showed that as many as 1 in 3 adults in Massachusetts experienced food insecurity in 2021. This high level of need also puts increased pressure on food pantries across the region to provide more food. GBFB’s study estimated that food pantry use among food insecure adults increased 44% from 2020 to 2021. GBFB expects heightened food pantry use to continue throughout the rest of this year into 2023.

To mitigate the strain food pantries in Eastern Massachusetts are experiencing, GBFB is investing over $3 million in overall support this holiday season which includes food, grocery gift cards and financial support in the form of a $2,000 holiday grant to every partner agency to help them keep up with expenses during the busy holiday season and to help alleviate the impact of inflation on their operations.

The Hunger Free Holidays campaign is generously sponsored by Stop & Shop with support from the Biogen Foundation. Together, Stop & Shop and the Biogen Foundation are matching up to $450,000 now through December 31, doubling the impact of donations.

From November 1 to December 31, GBFB is inviting individuals and teams to donate online at GBFB.org. Fundraising teams, such as local businesses, clubs, church groups, families and friends, can pool resources to reach a fundraising goal together by setting up a Peer-to-Peer fundraising page.

A $30 donation purchases a healthy holiday meal for a family in need – turkey and traditional side dishes (stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, corn, sweet potatoes, squash and apples). GBFB offers chicken, fish and other options such as grocery cards for those with dietary restrictions.

Chain of Giving presented by AMG
For the first time since 2019, GBFB will also host its 16th annual Chain of Giving event in its Boston warehouse on Thursday, November 10th at 10:00 am State and local leaders, community partners and corporate leaders will gather to kick-off the holiday season unloading frozen turkeys from a delivery truck to call attention to the need for food assistance this holiday season. Chain of Giving will be sponsored by Affiliated Managers Group (AMG), a leading partner to independent asset managers, providing access to specialized investment expertise of outstanding partner-owned firms.

Other Events Supporting GBFB during Hunger Free Holidays

• Harpoon Brewery – Throughout the month of November, $1 will be donated to GBFB for every pint of Harpoon IPA or every Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel sold at the Harpoon Beer Hall in Boston.
• Guinness Gives Back – Beginning in November, $1 will be donated to GBFB for every 8-pack of Guinness Draught sold in the Boston area.

More information on donating as a team or individual is available online at GBFB.org/Holidays.

Those in need of food assistance are encouraged to visit GBFB.org/need food, where they can find a list of resources and search for a food program by zip code.

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. As the food bank for Eastern Massachusetts, GBFB is feeding people in 190 towns across the region, distributing the equivalent of nearly 100 million meals through a network of 600 dedicated food distribution partners and programs. A member of the national Feeding America network, GBFB’s mission is to end hunger here. The organization remains committed to the belief that access to healthy food is a human right regardless of an individual’s circumstances. Through policy, partnerships, and providing free, nutritious, and culturally responsive food, GBFB is committed to addressing the root causes of food insecurity while promoting racial, gender and economic equity in food access. For more information and to help us help others, visit us at GBFB.org, follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@gr8bosfoodbank) and Instagram, or call us at 617.427.5200.

Media Contact
Catherine Lynn
GBFB
VP, Communications and Public Affairs
617.828.7422
press@gbfb.org