More than 850 local children received new backpacks and school supplies from Interfaith Social Services during the month of August, easing the burden of back-to-school expenses for South Shore families in need. Generous donors and local businesses provided both backpacks and school supplies for families that utilize our programs.
The Backpack Drive is one of several seasonal initiatives that we run throughout the year, designed to bring joy to children who may be growing up in difficult situations. The program aims to make sure students start out the school year outfitted with the supplies they need to succeed.
“We are immensely grateful to our donors who make our backpack drive possible,” said Assistant Food Pantry Manager Leslie Wittmann. “Data show that having one’s own school supplies helps with grades, self-esteem, and many other aspects of school. And since we know that education is key to break free of poverty, our backpack drive is very important for our clients’ wellbeing in both the near and long term.”
The Backpack Drive is made possible through the support of many individuals, businesses and organizations. Several local businesses and organizations supported the program this year with donations of backpacks, supplies and funds, including: Arbella Insurance, Boston Metal, Braintree Knights of Columbus, Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills, Black Rock Women’s Golf Association, Crown Colony Pediatrics, FoxRock Properties, the Have a Sammi Kinda Day Fund, Hingham Congregational Church, Houghs Neck Congregational Church, Marriott Quincy, Nicole Vermillion of LaMacchia Realty, Sandcastles Childcare & Learning Center, and Second Congregational Church – Cohasset.
Xaverian Brothers High School student Michael McGrath also participated in the Drive for the third year in a row, raising funds to fill 50 backpacks with supplies. Over the summer, McGrath asked friends and family for financial support, and the teen purchased supplies and assembled all 50 bags before delivering them to Interfaith.
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.
First of all, thank you! So many amazing people support the work that Interfaith Social Services does in our community. I love taking opportunities to express our appreciation for the amazing community of supporters who sustain our efforts.
In 1974, we launched our first South Shore Walk fundraiser. Interfaith Social Services (known at the time as Protestant Social Services Bureau) faced a funding crisis that threatened the closure of our organization. This walk-a-thon, along with the opening our Thrift Shop, allowed us to keep our doors open to serve our community.
Over the next couple of decades, Interfaith was heavily supported by faith communities. The walk always took place on Sunday afternoons after church services. The route changed from year to year because houses of worship took turns being the “event host.”
In 2014, with the emergence of 5K race popularity, Interfaith’s event team mapped new 5K route, hired a professional timing company, and added registration fees. The event was renamed to South Shore Walk & 5K Run.
By 2019, the Stop the Stigma 5K became more of a running vs. walking event, hosting 500 participants and raising more than $53,000. It was the biggest show of support from our community the event had ever seen.
In March of 2020, after we had already starting planning our event as usual, the COVID pandemic hit. We had to wade into uncharted waters and pivot to a virtual 5K. We thought our fundraising efforts would suffer. However, our virtual community stepped up, helping us raise close to $70,000 – all by running or walking in their own neighborhoods, getting on social media to ask their peers for support and sharing masked photos with us! Rinse and repeat for 2021…
In 2022, we joyously (and safely) returned to an in-person event! And to say our community was excited about it is an understatement! It was a record-breaking year, with 700 participants raising more than $100,000!
