Jennifer Sammons

Interfaith Social Services’ HomeSafe program prevents homelessness for hundreds of families each year.

The need for assistance is greater than ever

HomeSafe is currently serving a record setting numbers of people. In 2025, our Homelessness Prevention Coordinator fielded 1,923 phone calls for assistance from community members in need, a 77% increase compared to just 2 years ago. We have had to double the annual budget for the program to keep up with demand.

Unfortunately, due to major increases in energy, food and housing costs, many of our neighbors are in danger of losing their homes. They are having to make life-threatening decisions about paying rent or utility bills or paying for medications. They are facing evictions at an increasingly alarming rate.

How HomeSafe prevents homelessness

When clients reach out for help, our Homelessness Prevention Coordinator conducts an assessment to determine if a housing emergency exists. We offer information on tenant rights and the eviction process (should it come to that). We educate about other community resources that may help in meeting family budget shortfalls such as community food pantries, fuel assistance programs, SNAP benefits, childcare subsidies and the public housing application process.

If a housing emergency does exist and sustainability is evident, the client must complete an application and submit documents to prove residency, income, family composition and past due balances. Then we communicate with clients and landlords to negotiate and advocate for reasonable repayment plans that preserve tenancy while being as financially responsible as possible to make each dollar we spend stretch to help as many households as possible.

Your donations have a tremendous impact

These are a couple of clients who have recently received assistance from HomeSafe:

Ms. R. is a teacher and mother of two teenagers. Her husband abandoned her and the children two years ago. She was suddenly left to care for, support, and maintain her family alone. They downsized from a house to an apartment. She clipped coupons and shopped in thrift stores. Although she was doing everything to stretch her meager salary, the sudden loss of income was financially devastating. She fell behind in rent and received an eviction notice. She was living paycheck to paycheck and couldn’t make any payment towards her arrears. Her landlord informed her this if she couldn’t pay off all arrears, the eviction would be executed against her.

Interfaith was able to fully resolve the debt which allowed her family to maintain their housing. Ms. R has expressed her deep gratitude assuring us that someday, when she is back on her financial feet, she will seek out an opportunity to pay it forward to someone else.

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Ms. C. is a single mother of an elementary school-aged child and an infant. The baby was born with several health complications which caused Ms. C to take off significantly more time from work than anticipated. Unemployment benefits were minimal and ran out too soon. She fell behind in rent and was taken to housing court for eviction. She had since restarted work and even picked up a side job, but it was still not enough to pay her rent on time and pay down her arrearage in a manner that satisfied her landlord. They wanted her to pay all that she owed right away, or she was going to be out on the street. She was beyond terrified at the prospect of being homeless with an infant and a seven-year-old.

Interfaith was able to cover the lump sum she owed. When we called to tell her the news, she was so very grateful and relieved.

How you can help or receive help

Thank you for your sustaining support!

• Support HomeSafe by making a donation
• Need assistance? Learn more about how HomeSafe can help

Hundreds of Interfaith Social Services‘ amazing supporters gathered on December 5 to “Party with a Purpose” at our 28th annual Feed the Hungry Gala.

Held at Granite Links, the event raised $570,000 to support Interfaith’s programs. We are so grateful to all who attended and donated!

The evening was filled with food, fun and jaw-dropping generosity:

Accounting for a significant percentage of Interfaith’s annual budget, this event is instrumental in allowing us to carry out our mission. Our food pantry distributes more than 155,000 bags of food and personal care items each year and our seasonal programs provide local families in need with Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving meal packages, school backpacks and more. This week we are distributing holiday gifts to 1,300 children. The generous support given through our annual Gala enables us to keep up with the increased number of families coming to our doors in need of food, mental health counseling and rental assistance.

The planning for this event started nearly a year ago, securing corporate sponsorships and organizing the auction and games. A special thank you to this year’s lead sponsors: Presenter Sponsor Arbella Insurance Group, Champion Sponsor Walmart and our Hero Sponsors Ceres Real Estate, The Heritage Companies, Plymouth Quarries, and Quincy Mutual Group. We are also incredibly grateful for our “Friends of the Feed the Hungry Gala” sponsors. Your support means the world to us!

The morning of the event volunteers from Arbella Insurance came out to help us set up and

A talented group of volunteers from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts kindly filled our foyer display with fresh produce. The beautiful display made the perfect backdrop for guest photos throughout the evening. Blue Cross donated all the produce in the display and the fresh food was distributed to our food pantry clients on Monday morning after our event

After checking in, guests were greeted with their choice of a white cosmo cocktail or a festive mocktail from Abby Park and Novara. Attendees enjoyed delicious hand-rolled sushi from our friends at JP Fuji and oysters on the half shell from Ocean Seafood International while browsing our silent auction table. This year’s auction showcased spectacular packages including getaways, sports tickets and more. Thank you so much to the hundreds of companies that donated auction items and gift certificates!

In the ballroom, guests were able to sample savory dishes and sweet treats from local restaurants Dotty’s Kitchen, Evviva Trattoria, Granite Links, Liberty Tavern, Masons Steakhouse, Pearl & Lime, Victory Point, Niveaux Patisserie and Sweet Lizzy P Bake Shop.

Representatives from Castle Island Brewing Co and Untold Brewing served up their craft beers, and Bin Ends poured wine tastings for the crowd.

Fun games with lots of prizes, including Putt-Putt Golf and the Giving Tree (where guests could purchase gifts for a local children) added to the jovial atmosphere.

Guests were excited to put in their names for a chance to win a bottle of Dom Perignon by playing our “Spin the bottle” Wine game or try their luck at catching a lucky duck to win a Dunkin’ gift card in our Dunkin’ Carvalho Group sponsored game.

Guests also enjoyed live entertainment by the Belted Galloways. The evening ended with our signature Heads & Tails game, AKA the Blinky Light Game, featuring a $500 prize!

Guests received a sweet dessert donated by Purefections before heading out for the night.

The evening’s program included a moving video that featured two of Interfaith’s clients – Jerome and Jennifer. While the statistics of the number of people we serve are astonishing, you can truly grasp Interfaith’s impact by listening to our clients tell their stories. These clients bravely shared their experiences about coming to our food pantry.

The funds raised at our Gala help people just like Jerome and Jennifer. So many of our clients have similar stories of how a catastrophic diagnosis can cause them to turn to food pantries. Perhaps they lost their job, or their rent increased, or they took in their grandchildren after a parent could no longer care for them. These are not stories from movies or books they are real people in our community. Your support will help them stay in their homes, get the food and personal care items they need, or receive vital mental health care.

Enjoy this video of the moment we shared our event total at the Gala. It has been playing on repeat here back at Interfaith’s offices. And donations have continued to roll in since then, bringing our total to a record-breaking $570,000!

We are still completely speechless over the outpouring of support we witnessed at our Gala! Thank you!

Were you unable to attend but would still like to contribute? Please consider supporting by making a donation.

PHOTO GALLERY – Photos by the talented Matt Teuten Photography

Be sure to Save the Date for our 29th annual Feed the Hungry Gala on December 4, 2026!

On Friday December 6, a tractor trailer full of nonperishable food left Salt Lake City Utah enroute to Massachusetts. Early in the morning on Monday December 9, the truck arrived in Rockland, MA and unloaded 40,000 pounds of food donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to feed thousands of South Shore families in need.

The 28 pallets of food contained essentials like: rice, macaroni, green beans, dishwashing liquid, flour, beans, carrots, carrots, diced tomatoes, peanut butter, oats, as well as some fun items like pancake mix, cake mix and hot cocoa. All of the donated items were grown, processed and packaged by Church-owned farms, ranches, and production facilities like canneries, dairies, and mills. They process the goods using volunteer labor, plus donations from Church members. These resources provide basic foods and household items to people in need, regardless of their faith.

This 40,000 pound food donation will be split between two local food pantries: Interfaith Social Services and The South Shore Food Bank.

Since 1947 Interfaith Social Services has been a safety net for thousands of children and families who are struggling to make ends meet. Located in Quincy, MA; Interfaith operates one of the largest emergency food pantries in Greater Boston – distributing food and essential hygiene products to local residents in need. Interfaith also operates a mental health counseling center, homelessness prevention program as well as coordinating several large-scale seasonal initiatives that bring joy to local children living in poverty.

The South Shore Food Bank is a regional food access hub for food-assistance organizations across 28 South Shore communities in Massachusetts. In 2024, more than half of food distributed by food pantries on the South Shore moved through their warehouse, benefitting almost 30,000 residents across the region. They also operate two large scale food pantries in Weymouth and Randolph. Their mission is to improve food access, food equity, and promote health.

Both food pantries report record setting levels of need amongst local families in Southeastern Massachusetts. Each food pantry provides groceries to 2,000+ households each month.

This is the second time The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made a donation of this size to the two organizations. The last time was in 2020 at the height of the pandemic.

Interfaith Social Services distributed 950 backpacks during the month of August to help ease the burden of back-to-school expenses for South Shore families in need.

THANK YOU to the many generous individuals, businesses and organizations who provided backpacks, school supplies and monetary contributions to make sure that all the children whose families utilize Interfaith’s programs were able to start off the school year on the right foot.

“We are so thankful to our generous donors! Our community made this possible,” said Roberta Ferguson-Gregg, Assistant Food Pantry Manager. “It is our hope that because these children will have their own school supplies and brand-new backpacks on their first day of school, their academic performance and self-confidence will be boosted. Education is a powerful tool in overcoming poverty, which is why our Backpack program plays a vital role in supporting their success now and in the future.”

Several local businesses and organizations supported the Backpack Drive this year with donations of backpacks, supplies and funds, including: Ahold, Arbella Insurance, Bank of Canton, Bay State Milling, Boston Metal, Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills, FoxRock Properties, Have a Sammi Kinda Day, Hingham Congregational Church, LaMacchia Realty – Nicole Vermillion, Merchants Capital, Second Congregational Church – Cohasset and XS Brokers.

Corporate volunteer groups from Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts and South Shore Bank helped to assemble hundreds of bags, filling them with school supplies.

Xaverian Brothers student Michael McGrath also participated in the Drive for the fourth year in a row, raising funds to fill 75 backpacks with supplies. Over the summer, McGrath asked friends and family for financial support, and the teen purchased supplies and assembled all 75 bags before delivering them to Interfaith. Thank you so much for your continued support, Michael!

To learn more about Interfaith’s seasonal programs, please contact Assistant Food Pantry Manager Leslie Wittmann at leslie@interfaithsocialservices.org or 617-773-6203 ext.26.

Our 2025 Annual Report is out!

From our Executive Director, Rick Doane:

Fifty years ago, Interfaith’s staff members saw a need in our community and responded with a simple act of compassion. In a small closet, filled with a handful of donated canned goods, our food pantry began. It was a pioneering effort – our emergency food program here in Quincy was one of the first food pantries in the country. The mission in 1974 was clear and it remains a bedrock principle of all that we do: provide a welcoming place where our neighbors can find nourishment and hope.

Looking back, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come. That small closet has blossomed into a bustling, comprehensive resource—one of the largest food pantries in Greater Boston. The transformation reflects not only the growing needs of our community but also the incredible generosity of partners like you.

Read more…

In this year’s report you’ll learn all about the impact donations from our community had on our organization.

89% of every dollar donated directly supports our programs

Just 11% goes toward administrative and fundraising costs – well below the industry standard of 20-35%.

And we take the time to thank our donors

THANK YOU! Businesses, organizations, houses of worship and individuals who gave $100 or more in monetary donations for our 2025 fiscal year (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025) are listed in this year’s report.

The Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop is kicking off summer with a huge Tent Sale on Saturday, July 12! Join us under the tents between 10a-3pm for huge discounts on tons of merchandise.

All items will be priced at $2 or less!

Stop by and see us on your way to the FREE Dropkick Murphys concert in Quincy Center (concert runs 4-6:30pm).

Featuring:

• Clothing, especially women’s clothes
• Shoes
• Accessories – hats, summer scarves & more
• Books
• Media – DVDs, CDs, video games and audio books
• Vintage vinyl records
• Puzzles and Games
• Crafting Supplies
• Housewares
• …and so much more!

The Tent Sale will be held rain or shine. Tents will be set out front of our building at 101 Adams St., Quincy, MA. In case of heavy rain, we’ll move inside the building.

The Thrift Shop will also be open for browsing when you’ve finished shopping under the tents!

Focus on Fresh

On-Site Gardens

Where to Donate

Hundreds of runners and walkers defied the rain and took to the streets of Quincy’s Squantum neighborhood for Interfaith Social Services’ 51st annual Stop the Stigma 5K. The event, which raises funds and awareness for mental health and addiction care, brought in more than $150,000 to fund counseling sessions for those in need at our New Directions Counseling Center. Nearly 900 supporters signed up to take part in the April 26 event and over 600 runners and volunteers came out to the Kennedy Center in North Quincy despite the rainy weather.

New Directions serves anyone seeking counseling but we pride ourselves on being a safety net for the uninsured and underinsured members of the community by offering services on a sliding scale fee system. To further break down barriers to receiving treatment, new clients receive their first four sessions free of charge.

Why We Run

We host the Stop the Stigma 5K each year to challenge stereotypes, encourage acceptance and eliminate stigmas associated with mental health and addiction. Many participants feel a strong connection to the mission and run or walk to support family and friends, or to highlight their own battles with mental illness or addiction recovery. Here are a few statements our participants shared when asked, “What is your connection to the mission of Stop the Stigma 5K?:”

• I’ve worked in the mental health field in the past and in social services currently. I see the impact that struggles with mental health can have on children and families and the importance of seeking help. I’m happy to support this mission to reduce the stigma around mental illness and increase accessibility of appropriate treatment and supports.
• My brother was diagnosed with mental illness in his twenties. It was a struggle for him with the meds, side effects, and having limited support. He took his life not long after. I believe this cause is meaningful in creating awareness and building better support.

• My boyfriend has been sober for more than 2 years after struggling with alcohol addiction. We ran together in honor of all the people he’s met working on their recovery.

Thank You Vendors

Our runners were energized by the great tunes pumping out of our speakers courtesy of DJ Jeff Fowler Productions. A huge shout out to Katie Asack, a group fitness instructor who led us in a fun pre-race warmup.

Everyone stayed fueled and hydrated with bagels donated by Gold Medal Bakery and water donated by Polar Beverages and Trader Joe’s.

The Cravery Food Truck was a fun addition this year offering delicious ice cream and acai bowls for our participants to purchase!

And finally, we would like to give a special thank you to the Quincy Police Department for providing officers to make sure that everyone stayed safe.

Case Brabham of Cambridge was the fastest male, with a finish time of 17:51. Maureen Collins of Braintree earned the fasted female title, with a finish time of 21:38. Jacob Lai of Quincy earned the fastest youth title in the under-16 category, with a finish time of 20:29.

Thank You Sponsors

The 2025 Stop the Stigma 5K is sponsored by many generous local businesses, including Presenting Sponsors Arbella Insurance Foundation and Wulfpac Charitable Funding; 5K Level Sponsors The City of Quincy – Mayor Koch’s Office, The Heritage Companies, and New England Medical Group; Gold Level Sponsors Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Milton, J. Calnan & Associates, Keohane Funeral Home, and South Shore Bank; and Silver Level Sponsors Abington Bank, Bank of Canton, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Crocker Electrical Co., Inc., Dedham Savings, First Congregational Church of Randolph, FoxRock Properties, Law Offices of William T. Kennedy, P.C., Lawson & Weitzen, LLP, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, MountainOne Bank, Point32Health, Puzzle Pieces, South Shore Health, Stop & Shop, United Healthcare and Wellsense Health Plan.

More Photos

Our fantastic photographers, Gary Higgins Photography and Rocky Taverna, captured so many incredible images from the day. Check out our photo gallery of some of our favorites on our Facebook page. Thank you Gary and Rocky!

Save the Date

Save the date for the 2026 Stop the Stigma 5K: Saturday, April 25, 2026.