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Trick or Treat! Thanks to the amazing outpouring of generosity from our community, the children we serve in our food pantry will get to shout out these three words as they knock on doors tonight hoping to fill their little bags with tasty treats.

On Saturday, October 19, Interfaith’s staff and volunteers distributed costumes to more than 250 children whose parents are struggling to keep food on the table. For many of them, the extra expense of a Halloween costume is considered a luxury they just cannot afford. Because of the kind donations from our community, these children will be able to dress up and celebrate the Halloween festivities just like their peers.

The support for our Halloween Costume Drive over the last six weeks from individuals and community groups has been overwhelming. Hundreds of costumes were dropped off here during the drive. Thank you to Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, East Coast Printing, FoxRock Properties, Signet Electronics, and St. Joseph Church for their wonderful costume donations. And a very special thank you to Stop & Shop! They not only donated costumes, they also gave us 250 sugar pumpkins and enough candy to fill 250 goody bags for each child that attended the event.

Thank you Milton Girl Scout Troop 76176!
This amazing group of girls and their troop leaders assembled 250 goody bags. They even donated candy and Halloween-themed tattoos, rings and glow sticks to go in the bags. Thank you Girl Scouts!

Thank you to our Halloween Costume distribution “dream team” of volunteers who gave us hours of their time assisting the children we serve in finding the perfect costume.

Volunteers from the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop set up our “spooky wall” photo backdrop. Before heading out with smiles on their faces and treat bags in hand, the kids were able to try on their costumes and take a photo. Thank you so much!

The Patriot Ledger sent a reporter and photographer to the event and we thank them for their wonderful coverage. Read the article here.

Thank you Gary Higgins Photography for capturing all of the precious moments from the event. Check out more photos on our Facebook page.

One of the children knocking on your door this evening might just be wearing a costume that you donated. Happy haunting!

Brett Dixon earned his B.A. in Philosophy and Religious Studies at Salve Regina University and his M.A. in Clinical Mental Health at Lesley University. Brett works with clients of all ages and specializes in depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief and substance abuse. Brett has experience working with children in both hospital and community settings and with adults with dual diagnosis who are currently experiencing homelessness.

Brett utilizes a holistic and client centered approach to counseling, often combining mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, existential therapy and narrative therapy to help clients better understand their symptoms and find an individualized and meaningful approach to healing. He believes that healing develops through building positive relationships and works to create a safe, comfortable and open environment for all his clients (He also doesn’t mind sharing a good laugh or talking about the Red Sox either).

In addition to counseling, Brett is also trained as a mediator, has served as a meditation coach and is a published writer.

Caitlin joined the counseling staff at New Directions Counseling Center in 2019. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and Religion at Amherst College, and her M.A. in Counseling from Northwestern University. Caitlin works with clients of all ages dealing with issues that include depression, anxiety, OCD, low self-esteem, social anxiety, grief, perfectionism, and miscarriage/infertility. She utilizes an integrative approach, drawing from cognitive-behavioral, strengths-based, narrative, and play therapy, always with a focus on helping clients understand their symptoms in the larger context of their lives. Caitlin also uses Christian counseling for those who want to include their Christian faith in their therapy. Her focus is on creating a comfortable space for clients to be themselves, have their thoughts and feelings respected, and feel fully involved in the treatment process. She believes that humor makes life better, that children’s books are for adults too, and that both are best enjoyed with good people and good tea.

We’re excited to announce that our 2018 Capital Campaign has been fully funded!

Our generous donors contributed more than $165,000 to help us expand capacity in the food pantry and New Directions Counseling Center.

In the past decade, the number of food pantry clients we’ve seen in need of food assistance has climbed from 10,000 per year to more than 23,000. In the same time period, the New Directions Counseling Center went from providing 1,900 counseling sessions to more than 2,500 sessions per year. As programs have expanded, the need for facility improvements became apparent.

Funds will be allocated to:

• A Walk-In Freezer – an energy-efficient walk-in freezer will replace a set of aging and inefficient freezers, cutting energy bills and doubling storage space for frozen meats and foods.
• A New Food Pantry Truck – we’ve purchased a larger capacity refrigerated truck that doubles the amount of food we can rescue at local grocery stores. It also decreases the number of rescue trips needed, saving time and gas.
• Office Reconfiguration – counseling offices will be soundproofed and moved to avoid distractions from the food pantry. Two larger offices will be divided to create more unique spaces for therapy sessions.
• Facilities Improvements – flooring will be replaced in high traffic areas, light fixtures will be switched out with energy efficient fixtures, and adjustments will be made to the lobby to improve accessibility and flow.

Thank you so much to the following donors (and also to those who gave anonymously) who gave so generously to help us reach our goal:

HarborOne Bank
Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund
Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation
Greater Boston Food Bank
James Cahill & Gillian Grossman
Kurt & Sarah Livermore
Lauren Payne & William Swanson
First Congregational Church of Milton
Sarah & Scott Alessandro
Mary & Thomas Dinneen
Rockland Trust
South Shore Bank
Holly & Joseph Andrus
Joanne Cormack
Bethesda Lodge No. 30 I.O.O.F.
Ethel Schow
Judith Gundersen
Justine & Ralph Palmieri
Jay & Gail Marvin
Maureen & John O’Donnell
Kevin & Cristina Duggan
George Rice
Elaine Joseph
Maggie Trudel
Karissa Colonel
Mary Ann & Robert Skjold
Evan Smith
William Carlson
Joanne Farrington
Cara Gallucci
Liz Tayne
Mark Pachelli
Michael Burke

Leighann is a volunteer in the Bureau Drawer, where she helps out in the sorting room and assists in the shop. She’s been a wonderful addition to the shop since 2009 (nearly a decade!). You’ll recognize her by her distinctive laugh and her tiny Chihuahua, Chewy, who she brings to Interfaith once a month to have his nails trimmed by a fellow volunteer.

Cindy says:
“Leighann has been volunteering in the shop two days a week for 10 years. She’s hardworking and dedicated to our fundraising mission.

When she comes in the atmosphere totally changes. She’s friendly, busy and very outspoken. Customers, donors and volunteers love her so much and it’s noticed if she happens to be out on one of her days. They all ask where she is.

Leighann always has animated stories to tell and she helps everyone have a great experience when they shop. She helps them find the perfect outfit or anything else they never knew they needed! She puts her magic touch in the shop whether it’s a special display, dressing a mannequin or cleaning and making the shop shine. It’s always something.

Leighann has a big heart and we’re very grateful she’s a volunteer at Interfaith.”

We asked Leighann 4 Questions:

1. Why did you choose to volunteer at Interfaith?

A former volunteer, Chickie, asked me to volunteer with her. I did and I got hooked from there.

2. What do you enjoy most about volunteering here?

I think all the friendships I’ve made. It’s like a sisterhood to me. I just love what Interfaith stands for.

3. What’s the most memorable item you’ve seen come through the Thrift Shop?

There are several. I always remember that gorgeous plate we got. A crystal cake plate. We just loved it. And then it broke.

I got the most beautiful Christmas tree (from the Shop) two years ago. It was a 9 1/2 foot Christmas tree somebody donated. I walked in the shop and it was sitting there and it wasn’t even half up. I already had a Christmas tree at home. But I just loved that tree. This was on a Tuesday. And then Friday I come in and the tree was still there. I said, “Oh the tree is still here. I have to get it. I have to get it.” So I bought it. It’s gorgeous, and now I put it in my kitchen.

Also the unique people. There was a belly dancing girl. She’d belly dance in the shop in her bra and we’d all sit around and watch the show.

4. Tell us something interesting about yourself that the other staff and volunteers may not know.

I really wanted to be an airline stewardess. Back when they were popular with the little outfits and everything. I even went to school for it down in Miami. But it didn’t work out.

I’ve also been married for 36 years. I’ve been with my husband since we were in junior high. He was my first boyfriend and I was his first girlfriend. I was a cheerleader and I used to cheer for him. He was a football player. He drove me home on his little Mongoose bike. We’re still together.

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Know someone who may be interested in volunteering? Have them reach out to volunteer coordinator Paula Daniels at 617-773-6203 ext. 28 or pdaniels@interfaithsocialservices.org.