Interfaith Social Services 18th Annual Feed the Hungry Gala will be held on Friday December 4, 2015 at Granite Links in Quincy. The Gala features carnival-style games, door prizes, entertainment and an amazing variety of live and silent auction packages. Chefs from top Boston area restaurants will host a Dine Around experience for guests while local wine and spirits distributors showcase their products. Many surprises and fun giveaways are being planned for this year’s event.
A sun drenched trip to tropical Barbados from JetBlue Getaways, a dream vacation to London from Norwegian Air, a snow blower from Curry Hardware, sports tickets, hotel stays and exclusive dining packages are just a few of the many items
which local businesses have donated to Interfaith Social Services to be auctioned off on December 4th.
A committee of dedicated local volunteers has been working for over a year to solicit donations from generous community partners throughout the South Shore. These contributions from charitably minded shops, restaurants, and local businesses will impact the lives of thousands of area residents. Interfaith’s food pantry is one of the largest in Greater Boston. Last year they distributed over 850,000 pounds of food to hungry local residents. “The proceeds from the auctions at our Gala make it possible for our organization to serve over 25,000 South Shore residents every year,” said Interfaith’s executive director Rick Doane. “Our food pantry, counseling center and emergency assistance programs couldn’t operate without the funds raised at this event. We are so grateful for all of the incredibly charitable businesses who donate and to the members of our community who volunteer to organize this gala every year.”
The Gala has sold out for the past two years. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to purchase tickets as soon as possible at: www.FeedHungryGala.org.
This year’s Feed the Hungry Gala presenting sponsors are Arbella Insurance Foundation and Walmart. Champion and Hero Level sponsors include: JetBlue Getaways, Neighborhood Health Plan and South Shore Living magazine. Activist level sponsors: BJ’s Wholesale Club, Campbell, Devasto & Associates, CPAs, Eliza Corporation, Foxcroft Real Estate Management, Granite Links Golf Club at Quarry Hills, Granite Telecommunications, Interstate Electrical Services, J. Calnan & Associates, MountainOne Bank, NECN, Signet Electronic Systems, Inc. and Stop & Shop. Many other supporting and friend level sponsors come from dozens of caring individuals and charitable local businesses.
2015 Community Hero of the Year Award
Each year Interfaith Social Services presents the Community Hero of the Year Award to an individual who inspires others through selfless service. This year’s recipient, to be honored at the Feed the Hungry Gala, is Ally Donnelly.
Ally is familiar to most area residents from her work at the TV station NECN. But what most people don’t know is how much she does behind the camera to help South Shore residents who are struggling to provide basic necessities for their families.
Ally has participated in the Pan Mass Challenge in honor of children struggling with cancer. She engages local businesses to join her in supporting families in need. She organizes clothing and Halloween costume drives for local children, she prepares bake sales and participates in Walkathons. Since 2012 Ally has co-chaired Interfaith’s Feed the Hungry Gala Committee. Her leadership has led to a 400% increase in funds raised through the Gala. The event now accounts for almost 1/3 of Interfaith’s total annual funding. Her efforts make it possible for Interfaith to provide food, mental health counselling and emergency assistance to thousands of local residents every year.
In 2014, South Shore Living profiled Ally as one of the most influential women in the South Shore region. Ally Donnelly has been a part of the NECN team for over 10 years. She has won three local Emmy Awards, two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and two Gabriel Awards in her career as a journalist, along with two Associated Press awards and a Freddie Award. Ally and her husband Patrick are proudly raising daughters Izzie and Lucy in Hingham, both of whom organize a bake sale each spring to benefit Interfaith Social Services.
Ally’s passionate investigative reporting and dedication to serving South Shore residents in need made her an obvious choice to be this year’s Community Hero of the Year award.
Past Community Hero of the Year award recipients include: Jennifer Reale, Cindy Lee, Ed Kelley, Paula Lombardo, Beverly Tangvik, Thomas F. Williams. Esq., Kris Larsen, Matti Lang, Jan Stewart, Mary Ann Walsh, Robert F. Taylor, Margaret Davidson and Andrew Scheele.