With 1 out of 3 Mass. Residents Facing Food Insecurity, The Greater Boston Food Bank Hosts 12th Annual “Women Fighting Hunger” Fundraising Breakfast
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With 1 out of 3 Mass. Residents Facing Food Insecurity, The Greater Boston Food Bank Hosts 12th Annual “Women Fighting Hunger” Fundraising Breakfast
GBFB honored MA Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh for ongoing dedication to hunger relief
Boston, MA (October 26, 2023) – Over 400 attendees gathered at the InterContinental Boston Hotel for The Greater Boston Food Bank’s (GBFB) 12th annual Women Fighting Hunger Breakfast presented by National Grid on October 26. Hosted by WCVB’s Karen Holmes Ward, the fundraiser celebrates women who have made remarkable contributions to hunger relief and dedicated themselves to combatting food insecurity.
The event comes after GBFB’s annual study on the state of food insecurity confirmed chronic hunger across the state, with 1 in 3 Massachusetts residents facing food insecurity. The study also found deep-seated disparities based on race, ethnicity, region and sexual orientation, as well as alarming levels of child-level food insecurity.
The event featured a speaking program that included GBFB President and CEO Catherine D’Amato, Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh, and Deborah Stettler, a client and volunteer at Quincy Community Action Programs. Proceeds from the fundraiser will fund GBFB’s unwavering efforts to mitigate the effects of food insecurity, support its network of over 600 community partners, and put food on the table for more than 600,000 individuals served by GBFB partners every month.
“If it weren’t for Quincy Community Action Programs, I don’t know what would be on my dinner table at night,” said Deborah Stettler, a single mother confronted by food insecurity when she was laid off from her previous position as a chef. “The money from unemployment covered the rent, but what remained was probably about three dollars a month. I hope you know how much your support means to me and all the other single moms and their families. There’s no other way to say it, the Greater Boston Food Bank and my local food pantry that cared for me and my son, they were my lifeline.”
Secretary Walsh was honored for her unwavering dedication and attention to the issue of hunger as part of the Healey/Driscoll administration, bringing a lens of advocacy, equity and urgency to issues of hunger and other social determinants of health. Her support extends through her previous role at Boston Medical Center, which has a long history as one of GBFB’s first food pantry partners.
“I’m grateful to GBFB for this incredible honor and for their tireless efforts to help the people of Massachusetts lead healthier lives.” said Secretary Kate Walsh. “I know that together we can disrupt poverty, reduce food insecurity, and improve health outcomes for all Massachusetts residents.”
“Kate Walsh has been a terrific partner with GBFB and is now working to ensure that our state’s safety net remains strong, flexible and efficient for those who need it,” said Catherine D’Amato, GBFB President and CEO. “Kate knows that hunger is not an emergency, it is a daily experience for too many of our neighbors, a constant reality impacting lives. I believe we have the power to end this hunger crisis in Massachusetts thanks to strong leadership in our state government and the generosity of individuals and the business community.”
This year’s presenting sponsor was National Grid. Last year, the electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company granted $1 million to food banks and hunger prevention programs across the state.
“When we looked at organizations with which to partner, the impact of The Greater Boston Food Bank was obvious,” said Trisha Brabbs, Vice President of Contract, Controls & Workplan Development at National Grid. “It’s measurable. It’s understandable. We know where our dollars go. We know how many meals those dollars equate to. How many families are fed. How many children are getting the nutrition they need. Why wouldn’t we partner with GBFB?”
In its first 11 years, Women Fighting Hunger raised over $2 million dollars, the equivalent of over 4 million meals for neighbors in need across Eastern Massachusetts. Thanks to the generous donation matches of Columbia Threadneedle, Bill & Margaret Adams on behalf of MFS, and Joanna & Nigel Travis, GBFB surpassed its fundraising goal to support urgent hunger alleviation efforts. Funds raised will provide 1.3 million meals to families in need, amidst a hunger landscape shaped by factors like high grocery prices, student loan repayments and diminished food assistance programs.
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 90 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
Nate Hillyer
The Castle Group
M 860.574.5507
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