GBFB Raises Record-Breaking $1.1 Million at Annual
Women Fighting Hunger Fundraising Breakfast in
Support of Food Security Across Eastern Mass
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Greater Boston Food Bank Raises Record-Breaking $1.1 Million at Annual Women Fighting Hunger Fundraising Breakfast in Support of Food Security Across Eastern Mass
Philanthropist Randi Cutler honored for dedication to hunger relief
Boston, MA (October 17, 2024) – The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) held its annual Women Fighting Hunger breakfast fundraiser at The Westin Copley Place in Boston on October 17, with 330 attendees raising $1.1 Million to support food security. The event is an annual celebration of GBFB’s mission to end hunger here and empower families, raising funds to distribute healthy food across Eastern Massachusetts as 1 in 3 of the state’s residents face food insecurity.
The Women Fighting Hunger Committee, the volunteer group behind this event, convenes compassionate business and community leaders around the pervasive issue of hunger, seeking to promote widespread support, awareness and advocacy for GBFB and to empower families with access to healthy food. Since Women Fighting Hunger’s inception in 2010, the group has raised over $3.5 million, providing the equivalent of over 7 million nutritious meals distributed through GBFB’s hunger-relief network.
“Fifteen years ago, a dedicated group of powerful women came together to help raise awareness and much-needed funds to support food insecure families here in Eastern Massachusetts,” said Catherine D’Amato, GBFB president and CEO. “We are incredibly thankful for this support. Unfortunately, hunger is no longer an emergency for far too many, it’s an everyday lived experience with an outsized impact on women, children and people of color. Thanks to devoted community leaders like this year’s Women Fighting Hunger honoree Randi Cutler, I believe we have the power to end hunger here in Eastern Massachusetts.”
Longtime philanthropist and Boston Medical Center (BMC) Trustee Randi Cutler was honored for her passionate work in support of BMC’s Grow Clinic and Preventative Food Pantry, both of which offer comprehensive medical, nutritional, developmental, and social services to children and families in the Boston area. BMC is one of GBFB’s longest-standing agency partners and a national leader in providing exceptional care to underserved and low-income populations.
The event’s speaking program featured a “Coffee Talk” discussion with Randi Cutler, event emcee Karen Holmes Ward from WCVB Channel 5, and 2022 Women Fighting Hunger Honoree and former chair of the GBFB Board of Directors Joanna Travis. The discussion focused on supporting programs that will have an impact on the community, especially those that support women and children.
“Whether you’re missing a school lunch, or you’re trying to make a decision between paying your heating bill, your rent, or buying groceries, not having enough food to fuel your body leads to very real consequences,” said Randi Cutler. “The Greater Boston Food Bank is the power source for our state – it is the electricity that keeps the lights on in ours, our children’s, and our parents’ bodies. GBFB is the critical building block to health.”
The Greater Boston Food Bank’s annual study on food equity and access, conducted in collaboration with Mass General Brigham, found that 1 in 3 Massachusetts women experience food insecurity, and alarmingly, 48% of Black households and 41% of Hispanic households experience child-level food insecurity. The study also revealed that nearly half of the families receiving benefits from the Women, Infants, & Children Nutrition Program (WIC) reported diluting food or infant formula to stretch resources, while more than half worry about feeding their children after they turn 5 and are no longer eligible for WIC.
The event also featured recorded video remarks congratulating Randi Cutler from former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Lauren Baker, The Wonderfund Founder and CEO; as well as renowned presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin.
The funds generously donated by attendees come at a time of immense and urgent need as exorbitant costs of living, unsustainable housing costs and high grocery prices continue to perpetuate a deeply concerning state of food insecurity across the state.
“It was great to see so many people this morning standing with The Greater Boston Food Bank to end hunger here in Eastern Massachusetts,” said Ted Truscott, Chair of the Board of Directors at GBFB. “The reality and urgency of the need we are seeing in our communities requires us to act right now so we can empower all our neighbors with access to the nutritious food they need to enjoy happy, healthy and productive lives.”
Leading sponsors for the event include the Randi and Joel Cutler Family Foundation, Ted and Kathy Truscott in support of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, National Grid, and Servpro.
About The Greater Boston Food Bank:
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and one of the largest food banks in the country. For nearly half a century, GBFB has fueled Eastern Massachusetts’ hunger-relief system, putting nearly 90 million healthy meals on tables across the region each year. Over 600 community-based pantries and other local partners in 190 cities and towns depend on GBFB to provide access to healthy food for 600,000 people every month. GBFB is 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. Together, we have the power to end hunger here. 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
Nate Hillyer
The Castle Group
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