Jennifer Sammons

2023 Volunteer Appreciation Night

Each year, Interfaith Social Services dedicates an evening to honor and celebrate all of its amazing volunteers. This year’s Volunteer Appreciation Night was held June 8 and nearly 100 of Interfaith’s volunteers gathered at the Quincy Masonic Building (big thank you to the Masons for kindly donating their space for the evening!).
Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner catered by Black’s Creek BBQ and dessert from Kate’s Confections. After dinner, everyone took part in a lively game of Singo – a musical bingo game – and winners were pulled for the free raffle. It was a wonderful chance to socialize with our fellow volunteers and staff members outside of “the office.”
A few of our amazing Bureau Drawer volunteers.
Paula Daniels, Interfaith’s Director of Development, spoke at the event and said, “The textbook definition of the word ‘volunteer’ is a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task. I feel like that definition does not do it justice at all! Interfaith defines a volunteer a little differently. Our definition is a person who is a superhero going above and beyond to help someone else; a saving grace who allows us to serve all who come to us asking for help.”
Atendees went home from the event with custom Interfaith volunteer shirts that they can wear during their weekly volunteer shifts. Volunteers are the heart and soul of Interfaith Social Services’ programs and we are so grateful for each and every one of them.
The Wednesday night crew posed for a photo.

Hall of Fame

During Volunteer Appreciation Night, Interfaith inducted 21 of volunteers into the Matti Lang Volunteer Hall of Fame. This honor is bestowed upon those who have served at Interfaith regularly for at least one year. The Hall of Fame is named after one of Interfaith’s most dedicated volunteers, Matti Lang, who gave decades of his life selflessly serving Interfaith’s clients. Interfaith considers all of its volunteers its heroes – they make sure that none of our neighbors in need go hungry or lose hope.
Our 2023 Matti Lang Volunteer Hall of Fame Inductees:
Sarah Alberione
Loretta Barron
Cindy Brandi
Mary Jane Callahan
Ruth Davis
Brian Delaney
Deni Howley
Dan Jaehnig
Angela Lee
Lisa Levenson
MacKenzie Lyle
Peter MacKenna
James Madej
Donna McGinn
Judy Morris
Mimi Powers
Joseph Silva
Julie Sorgi
Donna Tippo
Jay Waldron
Amy Zydanowicz

 

Some of our 2023 Matti Lang Volunteer Hall of Fame Inductees with Interfaith’s Director of Development, Paula Daniels.

Volunteers Wanted

Are YOU looking for volunteer opportunities? Weekly volunteer shifts are now available in our Food Pantry and Thrift Shop.
Volunteer Requirements:
  • You have the time to commit to one 3-hour volunteer shift per week (available shifts are Monday – Friday between the hours of 9am and 3:30pm – no evenings or weekends shifts are availble);
  • You are 16 years of age or older;
  • You are able to work in a fast-paced environment;
  • You can lift up to 30 lbs repeatedly.

If you meet the requirements above, please fill out the questionnaires below. PLEASE NOTE: This form is used to collect information only. If you are selected to fill one of our shifts, we will reach out to you to set up an interview.

Food Pantry Questionnaire
Thrift Shop Questionnaire

A few of our wonderful Food Pantry volunteers.
Board members and volunteers enjoyed an evening of food and socializing.
A few of our wonderful volunteers.
A few of our wonderful Food Pantry volunteers.
Interfaith staff, guests. volunteers and board members.
Volunteers went home with custom Interfaith Volunteer tshirts.
A free raffle included gift baskets, gift cards and more!
Dinner was catered by Black’s Creek BBQ.
After dinner, guests played a round of Singo featuring songs of the ’60s.
A few of Interfaith’s therapists getting excited about Singo.
Playing a round of Singo – a musical bingo game.
BINGO!
Another big winner!
Getting into the ’60s vibe.

Announcing our new Board President – Jay Marvin

Members of Interfaith's Board of directors
Interfaith Board President Jay Marvin
Interfaith Board President Jay Marvin volunteers in the food pantry during a recent In-Service Day.

We recently elected new officers and voted in new board members to our Board of Directors. Board member Jay Marvin, of Hingham, was elected president for a two-year term, ending in 2024.

Marvin is retired after working as Group Vice President of Global Transformation at Sodexo. He has partnered with us as a volunteer and board member since 2014. Marvin was the Cross Divisional VP of Growth and Marketing in the US for many years previous to his global role. He traveled and worked in many countries but spent a considerable amount of time in France. Marvin also served on the board of Sodexo’s Stop Hunger organization.

“Volunteering at Interfaith provided me with an understanding of how people used our services and their appreciation of us,” said Marvin. “We were there when their needs were real.”

Prior to joining Interfaith’s board, Marvin volunteered in a variety of capacities at Interfaith. He volunteered with the food rescue program, collecting thousands of pounds of food each day from area supermarkets, and served in the food pantry distributing food to clients. The experience gave him a comprehensive perspective of Interfaith’s operations.

“Working in the food pantry gave me a glimpse at the diversity of our customer base and the dynamics of their different needs,” said Marvin. “I believe that we all need help at certain times in our lives, some a lot more than others. There should be places where people can go to get the help they need and Interfaith Social Services is such a place.”

During his term, Marvin hopes to make progress on long-range planning with a focus on funding and maintaining the effectiveness of the organization’s strategic plan. One of his main goals is to ensure that Interfaith’s programs continue to meet the changing needs and desires of clients.

Additional Board Appointments

The board has also voted in three new members for 2023: Bill Blackmer, Roberta Ferguson-Gregg, and Maddy Gabor.

Blackmer, of Weymouth, is a Senior Manager at SunLife. He found Interfaith years ago and appreciates the opportunity to give back.

Ferguson-Gregg, of Weymouth, is recently retired from a 47-year career at Stop and Shop. As a long-time volunteer with Interfaith’s food pantry and Help for the Holidays program, she turned her vocation of selling food into an avocation of providing food to the food insecure.

Gabor, of Quincy, is the co-founder and CEO of this.us.now., a professional education and organizational development company that helps individuals, businesses and nonprofits work with better information and more joy. She joins the board after regularly volunteering in the food pantry for several years.

Members of Interfaith's Board of directors
Members of Interfaith’s Board of directors volunteered in the food pantry on a recent In-Service Day.

Interfaith Social Services invites members of the public interested in joining the Board of Directors or becoming a regular volunteer to email info@interfaithsocialservices.org or 617-773-6203 ext. 17.

UPDATE: $100K match! – Help us keep our neighbors safe and warm in their homes

HomeSafe Clients Served bar graph

$100,000 to be matchedUPDATE (3/1/2023): DOUBLE your donation’s impact!
A generous donor has offered to match your donation – dollar for dollar – up to $100,000, to ensure Interfaith Social Services’ HomeSafe program is fully funded for 2023!

Double your impact and DONATE NOW

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The word “home” evokes feelings of comfort, security, contentment and warmth. It is where you feel most in control and safe. Knowing you have a home to return to at the end of the day is essential for human survival. Imagine being on the cusp of not having that.

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.

Our HomeSafe Program

At Interfaith, we do everything we can to help individuals and families acquire the resources that they need to manage the challenges of their daily lives. Our HomeSafe program provides emergency financial assistance to prevent eviction and utility shut offs. Services like these need your support now more than ever. We have seen a 50% increase in the number of people needing our help since the start of the pandemic. We expect another 50% increase this year.

Support HomeSafe by donating today!HomeSafe Clients Served bar graphYour Impact

A donation to our HomeSafe program can have a tremendous impact on the lives of those in need in our community. These are a few clients who have recently received assistance:

“Susan” had to reduce her work hours in order to get mental health care to cope with a divorce and the loss of her son. She needed help with her gas bill. Interfaith provided funds to keep her heat on.

“James,” a 35-year-old man with a disability from a traumatic head injury, was living in a shelter. Interfaith paid his full security deposit so he could transition out of the shelter into affordable subsidized housing.

“Elizabeth,” a senior battling cancer, had to reallocate rent money to pay for medications not covered by insurance and transportation to cancer treatment appointments and fell behind on rent payments. Interfaith helped pay her back rent.

How to Help

We need an additional $50,000 to sustain this program and keep up with the demand we are expecting in 2023. Please give generously so that we can continue serving all the families who turn to Interfaith Social Services in their time of need.

Support HomeSafe by donating today!

Need assistance? Learn more about how HomeSafe can help.

Thank you for your sustaining support!

2023 5K Registration Now Open!

Registration for our 2023 Stop the Stigma 5K is now open! – https://runsignup.com/stopthestigma5k2023

Nearly every family in the United States has been touched by mental illness or addiction. Interfaith Social Services hosts the Stop the Stigma 5K each year to support our loved ones, challenge stereotypes, encourage acceptance and eliminate stigmas, all while raising funds for our New Directions Counseling Center.

2022 starting line

Register by February 6 to lock in the lowest registration fee of $35 (and $15 for ages 6-15). Fees increase after February 6. Last year we sold out – register now to guarantee your spot!

With savings like this on the line, it’s time to nail down plans for your spring races! This year’s Stop the Stigma 5K will feature an in-person race on Saturday, April 29, starting and ending at The Kennedy Center (440 East Squantum St in North Quincy, MA). Race starts at 9:30am.

Stop the Stigma 5K race route (map)

The Course

The 5K course runs through the scenic (and somewhat hilly) Squantum neighborhood of Quincy and features 3.1 miles of ocean views and Boston skyline. This race is both for the competitive runners and for those who prefer a leisurely stroll. The course is also stroller and dog friendly. Kids under age 6 can come along free of charge.

The Shirt

Register by March 24 and you will receive a super soft, vintage material Stop the Stigma 5K t-shirt.

t shirt

The Cause

All proceeds benefit Interfaith Social Services’ New Directions Counseling Center. Our nonprofit counseling services provide a safety-net ensuring that everyone is able to receive care regardless of their income status. A single race registration provides a mental health counseling session for a community member in need.

REGISTER NOW

75 Years of Neighbors Helping Neighbors

For 75 years, your generous donations have provided our clients with nutritious food, joy to children during holidays, homelessness prevention assistance, budget counseling, mental health services and so much more.
Please consider including Interfaith in your end-of-year giving so that we can continue our crucial work in the community!
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Recently, one of our food pantry clients shared how grateful she was to get help from us.

Meet Jacquelina: “I am very grateful to Interfaith for helping me during these past two years. Shortly after the start of the pandemic, I gave birth to twin premature girls. At the time I was unemployed and had not received government assistance yet. This was the most stressful time of my life. But then I was told about this blessed organization where I could get food. I immediately walked to Interfaith and was welcomed with open arms. Everyone was so wonderful! I received food, diapers, and toiletries. I felt immense gratitude because I knew I would be able to eat and take care of my family.”

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2022 By the Numbers

This past year, 5,300 of our neighbors in need, including 1,500 children, received 81,090 bags of groceries and personal care items and 56,300 diapers. These numbers represent families in our community, like Jacquelina’s, who needed help during challenging times in their lives. Your donations make it possible to give these families peace of mind knowing that they can find compassion and help in their times of need. Your support gives our clients hope. Thank you!

For 75 years, the generous donations we have received provided our clients with nutritious food, joy to children during holidays, homelessness prevention assistance, budget counseling, mental health services and so much more. However, we need your help to sustain this community safety net. Please give generously so that we can continue our crucial work in the community.

Donate $75 for our 75th: https://interfaithsocialservices.org/?form=donate75

Thank you for your sustaining support. Have a Happy New Year!

Halloween Costume Distribution is Back!

Kids picking out Halloween costumes

Superheroes, princesses and zombies were back at Interfaith last weekend, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. We invited children served by our food pantry to a Halloween Costume Distribution event on Saturday, October 15, and each child was able to select a brand-new Halloween costume at no cost.

Kids picking out Halloween costumes

For local families having trouble putting food on the table, “extras” such as Halloween costumes can seem out of reach. Our seasonal initiatives, like the Halloween distribution and Help for the Holidays gift program, help ease these costs for South Shore families in need and bring joy to children in difficult situations.

Generous individuals and businesses donated hundreds of new Halloween costumes through our Halloween Drive. We’d like to thank O’Connor & Drew, P.C., Have a Sammi Kinda Day, Dan Minton and the Quincy Police Department, Emergent BioSolutions and DanceWorks for running costume drives at their businesses and organizations. DPS Insurance Group donated a tent for the event and Stop & Shop donated hundreds of sugar pumpkins for the children to take home.

Interfaith Social Services volunteer Kim DeVito, of Taunton, left, helps a child find a makeup kit to go with her costume

 

Dozens of volunteers helped sort incoming donations, prepare for the event, and assisted clients during the costume distribution, including corporate volunteer groups from IntelyCare, Peapod Digital Labs, Retail Business Services, and SIGNET Electronic Systems. THANK YOU!

A big thank you to the Patriot Ledger and WBZ for the wonderful media coverage of the event!

For more information about Interfaith’s holiday initiatives, please contact Seasonal Program Coordinator Natalie McMenamin at natalie@interfaithsocialservices.org.

Enjoy some of our favorite photos from the event, by Gary Higgins Photography:

Halloween Costumes Needed

After having to scale back our Halloween program for the past two years due to the pandemic, we’re excited to start up the Halloween Costume Drive again!

Each year in mid-October, we invite our food pantry client families with young children to a special day of “shopping” where their children can choose a Halloween costume. The programs gives families experiencing hardships a bit of normalcy, allowing their children to enjoy trick-or-treating and other Halloween activities with their peers.

HOW TO HELP

We need your help to ensure that we will have enough costumes to provide one for every child aged 12 and under. Donations of new costumes and accessories can be dropped off at our building, located at 105 Adams St., Quincy, Monday-Friday, 12:30-3:30pm, and until 7pm on Tuesdays.

Costumes can also be purchased from our online Amazon Wish List and shipped directly to Interfaith. Monetary donations are also welcome. More information about both options can be found at https://interfaithsocialservices.org/halloween.

Costume donations need to be received by Friday, Oct. 7. Questions about the program can be directed to Seasonal Program Coordinator Natalie McMenamin at natalie@interfaithsocialservices.org or 617-773-6203, ext. 26.

A volunteer assists a child in selecting a Halloween costume at Interfaith's 2019 Costume Giveaway.
A volunteer assists a child in selecting a Halloween costume at Interfaith’s 2019 Costume Giveaway.

Backpack Drive provides more than 900 students with supplies

More than 900 local students received free backpacks and school supplies thanks to you!

Backpack Drive

We distributed backpacks filled with school supplies to our food pantry clients with school-age children during the month of August to lighten the burden of back-to-school expenses for South Shore families in need.

THANK YOU to the generous donors and local businesses who provided backpacks and school supplies for more than 700 children whose families utilize our programs. Another 200 backpacks filled with supplies went to Quincy Public Schools to be distributed to children that may need them.

“We’ve seen prices going up on just about everything,” said Natalie McMenamin, Interfaith’s Seasonal Project Coordinator. “Our food pantry clients are really struggling with the rising costs of food and other necessities. It’s wonderful to be able to help them with some of these back-to-school expenses. It’s our hope that all the children we serve will start the school year prepared and that their parents have one less thing to worry about.”

The Backpack Drive is made possible through the support of many individuals, businesses and organizations who donate backpacks, supplies and monetary contributions during the summer. Several local businesses and organizations supported the program this year with donations of backpacks and supplies, including Arbella Insurance, Black Rock Country Club Women’s Golf, the Braintree Council Knights of Columbus, Coastal Heritage Bank,  First Church of Squantum, First Congregational Church Randolph, FoxRock Properties, Hingham Congregational Church, and Paige Landscape Company.

Employees from FoxRock Properties dropped off hundreds of donated backpacks for Interfaith's annual Backpack Drive.
Employees from FoxRock Properties dropped off hundreds of donated backpacks for Interfaith’s annual Backpack Drive.

Volunteer groups, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, South Shore Bank, and SIGNET Electronics Systems, helped sort incoming donations and fill backpacks with notebooks, pens, pencils, markers and other supplies.

Volunteers from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts helped sort supplies and fill backpacks for Interfaith Social Services' Backpack Drive
Volunteers from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts helped sort supplies and fill backpacks for Interfaith Social Services’ Backpack Drive.

THANK YOU!

Volunteers Inducted Into Hall of Fame

2022 Hall of Fame volunteers

Volunteers are the heart and soul of Interfaith Social Services’ programs! Each summer, we dedicate an evening to honor and celebrate all of our amazing volunteers.

At the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Night on August 2, 100 of Interfaith’s volunteers gathered at the Quincy Masonic Building to enjoy dinner, trivia and camaraderie. In addition, 17 volunteers were inducted into the Matti Lang Volunteer Hall of Fame. This honor is bestowed upon those who have served at Interfaith regularly for at least one year. The Hall of Fame is named after one of Interfaith’s most dedicated volunteers, Matti Lang, who gave decades of his life selflessly serving Interfaith’s clients. Interfaith considers all of its volunteers its heroes – they make sure that none of our neighbors in need go hungry or lose hope.

This year’s inductees:

Tricia Bertucci
Susan Bill
William Blackmer
Bernadette Connolly
Connie Corcoran
Therese Dolbec
Alan Howarth
Helen Irvin
Cathy Kennedy
Mary Kerrigan
Gene Lee
Heather Nolasco
Ann O’Brien
Jill Rupple
Debbie Stadnicki
Liz Tangusso
Jan Whalen

2022 Hall of Fame volunteers
Seventeen local residents have been inducted into Interfaith Social Services’ Matti Lang Hall of Fame. These volunteers have given their time regularly for at least one year. (Left to right) Gene Lee of Quincy, Debbie Stadnicki of Quincy, Jan Whalen of Quincy, Jill Rupple of Pembroke, Interfaith’s Director of Development, Paula Daniels of Norton, Ann O’Brien of Weymouth, Bernadette Connolly of Quincy, Helen Irvin of Quincy, Heather Nolasco of Quincy and Alan Howarth of Quincy.

PARTNER OF THE YEAR

In addition to the Hall of Fame induction, Interfaith also honored our 2022 Community Partner of the Year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. This award honors businesses or organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to volunteerism.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has been a loyal corporate partner of Interfaith since 2014. Blue Crew volunteers have donated more than 1,000 volunteer hours to Interfaith over the past eight years. In addition to sending monthly volunteer teams to Interfaith’s food pantry, Blue Cross has sponsored and participated in the annual Stop the Stigma 5K and Interfaith’s annual Feed the Hungry Gala. They’ve donated towards Interfaith’s seasonal programs and organized food and clothing drives.

During the critical pandemic period, when Interfaith’s client numbers continued to rise, Blue Cross also provided more than 10,000 meal kit packages for Interfaith’s food pantry. With a large percentage of their employees working from home due to the pandemic, Blue Cross brought back furloughed cafeteria staff to prepare hundreds of meal kits per day to donate to community members in need.

“We thank Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts for cultivating the philosophy of giving and service in their offices,” said Paula Daniels, Interfaith’s Director of Development. “We are deeply grateful for the time and service their hard-working teams have given to us.”

Several Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts employees attended the volunteer appreciation event and Pauline Murnin, Blue Cross Civic Engagement Manager, accepted the award on behalf of Blue Cross.

Pauline Murnin BCBS award
Interfaith Social Services awarded their 2022 Community Partner of the Year Award to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts for their outstanding commitment to volunteerism. Pauline Murnin, left, Blue Cross Civic Engagement Manager, accepted the award from Interfaith’s Director of Development Paula Daniels, right, at Interfaith’s August volunteer appreciation dinner.

“Blue Cross is committed to creating more equitable, just and healthy communities,” said Jeff Bellows, vice president of corporate citizenship and public affairs. “We’re proud to partner with Interfaith Social Services and to engage our employees in supporting their vital work in the Quincy community.  We’re humbled to be recognized as the Partner of the Year and look forward to many more opportunities to work together to ensure community members have access to the resources necessary to support healthy lifestyles.”

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

Volunteers at Interfaith Social Services commit to a three-hour shift per week. Shifts are available Monday-Friday, between 9:30am and 7pm. Opportunities include working in the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop, assisting in food rescue operations, filling orders for clients in the food pantry, staffing the front desk, and stocking and inventorying the pantry.

Those interested in volunteering at Interfaith Social Services are encouraged to contact Paula Daniels at 617-773-6203 ext. 28 or pdaniels@interfaithsocialservices.org.

MORE PHOTOS

Donate to our Gala auction!

Gala attendees browse the silent auction packages at the 2019 Feed the Hungry Gala.

We are seeking fun, unique items and experiences to include in our December Feed the Hungry Gala auction! This event is Interfaith Social Services premier fundraising event, bringing in a significant portion of the funds needed to run our emergency food, mental health counseling and homelessness prevention programs.

Can you help us secure auction items? Examples of what we’re looking for include:

  • Tickets to sporting events
  • Stays at vacation homes
  • Fine wine or liquors
  • Unique experiences such as hot air ballooning, race car driving, travel, etc.
  • Interesting classes – can you teach someone a skill you may have? Cooking, fly fishing, etc.
  • Donated airline miles
  • Gift cards – any amount to any location!

Your donation will result in bringing in critical funds for our programs. Please contact our Gala committee auction chair Jennifer Sammons at jsammons@interfaithsocialservices.org for more information or to donate an item.

 

A big thank you to  Scavenger Hunts by Let’s Roam and Adventures from Scratch for their recent donations to our silent auction!