Jennifer Sammons

Donate Halloween Costumes

child in werewolf mask

Our annual Halloween Costume Drive kicks off today!

We are in need of new Halloween costumes or monetary donations to purchase new costumes for the hundreds of children we serve in our food pantry.

child in werewolf mask

Costume Drive

In October, hundreds of children will come to Interfaith to choose a Halloween costume. Their families may not be able to afford a costume, but you can make it possible for these kids to be the little princesses and superheroes they’ve been dreaming of. Helping these kids and their families is paramount to our organization’s mission. Be a part of Interfaith Social Services Halloween Costume Drive and give these children the opportunity to enjoy fun Halloween festivities.

Please have all costume donations delivered to us by Friday, October 13.

How to Help

Here are three ways you can support the program:

• Drop off new costumes Monday-Friday, between noon and 3:30pm,or until 7pm on Tuesdays. We are located at 105 Adams St. in Quincy.
• Purchase costumes from our Amazon Wish List and ship your donations directly to us.
• Make a monetary donation to the program.

Costumes are needed in all sizes (this program serves ages 12 and under). However, in previous years we have needed more large and XL sized costumes for kids ages 9 -12.

Questions? Contact Natalie McMenamin (natalie@interfaithsocialservices.org or 617-773-6203 x26)

*Please note that costumes donated to this program should be new, but we are happy to accept donations of used costumes to our Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop where we sell them at a deep discount. All proceeds from the Shop go directly back to our programs.

Interfaith receives Safety Net Grant from Boston Foundation

Unloading Interfaith's food rescue truck

Interfaith has received a $50,000 grant from the Boston Foundation’s Safety Net Grants program, which supports social service organizations meeting the essential needs of vulnerable communities and people in Greater Boston, with a priority on the cities of Boston, Chelsea, Lynn, Salem and Randolph.

“Randolph is one of the communities that utilizes our services the most,” said Interfaith’s Executive Director Rick Doane. “Last year our food pantry distributed more than 78,000 pounds of food to Randolph residents. This grant will allow us to serve the increasing number of people from Randolph, and greater Boston, in need of assistance. We are very grateful for the Boston Foundation’s investment in our community.”

Unloading Interfaith's food rescue truck

For the past 75 years, Interfaith Social Services has been providing South Shore families and individuals in need with food, mental health counseling, homelessness prevention services and initiatives that bring joy to children.

“For decades, Interfaith Social Services has provided critically-needed food, rental assistance, mental health and other services to thousands of people in Quincy and the South Shore,” said Orlando Watkins, Vice President and Chief Program Officer at the Boston Foundation. “As a community-based, collaborative, volunteer-driven organization, they provide a platform for creating a more equitable, stronger community for all South Shore residents.”

Funds for this Safety Net grant come from the Boston Foundation’s Fund for Boston’s Future, an endowed pool of funds built over more than a century by generous contributors who want to help the Greater Boston community thrive. Each year, the Boston Foundation distributes more than $15 million in discretionary grants and other resources from the Fund, which are largely awarded through a competitive process open to nonprofits serving the Foundation’s catchment area, stewarded by the Foundation’s Program Department staff and approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Donating to the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop

Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop Quincy, MA

Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop logoDid you know that Interfaith operates a Thrift Shop? Located behind our main building and food pantry, at 105 Adams St., Quincy, MA, our Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop is one of the South Shore’s hidden gems.

A boutique-style shop, the Bureau Drawer offers women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, shoes, accessories, housewares, linens, vintage items, books and so much more. Secondhand and new items. Inventory changes daily.

Best of all, the Shop runs as a fundraiser for Interfaith Social Services, so ALL PROCEEDS benefit Interfaith’s programs. That means that when you shop or donate items to the Bureau Drawer, you are directly supporting Interfaith Social Services’ emergency food, mental health counseling and homelessness prevention programs.

The Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop is open Monday through Friday, 12:30-3:30pm. On Tuesdays we are open late, from 12:30-7pm. Come see us!

Where Can I Donate Clothing?

Donate Clothing

At the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop! Make a donation appointment at https://bit.ly/BDdonation.

We accept clothing in all conditions. Donations in new, “like-new,” or “excellent used condition” are resold in our Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop.

Torn, stained or well-worn clothing is sent to textile recycling. Please bag these items separately and mark them as “POUNDAGE.” We are paid by the pound for the textiles and the funds go directly to Interfaith’s programs.

We can also accept and resell footwear/shoes in very good condition, accessories, jewelry and linens.

Where Can I Donate Books?

At the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop! Make a donation appointment at https://bit.ly/BDdonation.

The Bureau Drawer has a fantastic book nook, containing hundreds of used titles. We specialize in fiction, but you’ll also find biographies, memoirs, non-fiction, cookbooks and more. Pick up 10 used books for just $4!

We accept both children’s and adult book donations. Donated children’s books are distributed in our food pantry to clients with children. (Read more about our children’s book program here.) Unfortunately, we cannot accept textbooks or encyclopedias.

Where Can I Donate Housewares?

Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop Quincy, MA

At the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop! Make a donation appointment at https://bit.ly/BDdonation.

We welcome your donations of dishes, pots & pans, flatware, knick knacks, decor and small appliances. Because items are resold in a boutique setting, all items should be in excellent working condition with no chips, cracks or damage.

Where Can I Donate Vintage Items?

At the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop! Make a donation appointment at https://bit.ly/BDdonation.

Many vintage items are sold in our Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop. We sometimes sell niche or specialty vintage items through our eBay storefront. All proceeds benefit the programs of Interfaith Social Services.

Where Can I Donate Toys?

Used toys are not big sellers in our Thrift Shop. Because we are so limited in our storage and merchandising space, we recommend that used toys be donated elsewhere, such as a “Buy Nothing” or “Free” group on Facebook.

Used stuffed animals can be recycled! Bag them separately and mark them as “POUNDAGE.” You can donate them to us or place them in a textile recycling bin around town.

We welcome donations of new toys, which are utilized in our Help for the Holidays program.

Where Can I Donate Furniture?

Unfortunately, we do not have space in our Shop for furniture. Here are some South Shore agencies that may be able to accept your furniture donation:

Where Can I Donate A Mattress?

We are unable to accept donations of mattresses. Please contact your local Public Works department for instructions on disposal. In Quincy, call the DPW at (617) 376-7556 at least one full business day before your regular trash pick-up day to schedule a curbside pick-up of mattresses.

Where Can I Donate Everything Else?

Check our Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop webpage to see if we can accept your items. Still have questions? Send us an email or give us a call at 617-773-6203 ext. 32.

Thank you so much for thinking of us with your donations!

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

*****

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!
**************

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.”

**************

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.