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Happy Halloween! There will be hundreds of little princesses, ninjas and witches happily trick-or-treating on the South Shore this evening thanks to the generosity of Interfaith’s donors and volunteers. Our annual Halloween costume drive wrapped up last weekend with a very busy distribution day here at 105 Adams St.

I’ve almost got Halloween fatigue after all the costume craziness we’ve been handling here for the past six weeks! This is my first Halloween as an employee here at Interfaith and I was just floored by the outpouring of support from individuals and community groups. More than 600 new or gently-used costumes were dropped off here during the drive. Corporate groups brought bags and bags of them, schools set up costume drives (thank you Inly School!) and Kennedy’s Country Gardens even had a special movie night benefiting the drive. Not to mention the dozens of individuals that stopped by with armfuls of costume donations. We so appreciate the support!!

Our crack team of volunteers – Therese Fleming, Robin Anderson and Judy Kiley, spent weeks inventorying, packaging and sorting costumes. The basement was a wonderland of fairy wings, furry paws and superhero capes. They rounded out princess dresses with wands, ninja outfits with swords and goofy get-ups with wigs so that all children would get a complete package. They spent hours and hours prepping and we couldn’t have done it without them. Thank you!

Come distribution day, clients arrived to find a team of 24 volunteers ready to match them up with their dream costume. After some Halloween snacks and cartoons, they were able to try on their costumes and take a photo against the “spooky wall” in the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop before heading out with smiles on their faces and treat bags in hand. A quick two hours and nearly 200 costumes later, a worn out team of volunteers celebrated another successful drive.

Thanks much to the Boston Herald for the nice news coverage of the event. Check out more photos from the event below and happy haunting!

 

 

 

 

 

We were excited to receive a Four Star Rating from Charity Navigator this week! This is the highest honor bestowed by the organization, which assesses more than 8,000 American charities. The nonprofit evaluator examines financial documents and rates charities based on their financial health, accountability and transparency.

Interfaith has received four consecutive four-star ratings from Charity Navigator, since 2014.

This rating, and our programs, couldn’t have been achieved without you. Our generous donors, tireless volunteers and community supporters keep our organization alive. Thank you!

View the full rating and breakdown here – https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=13218.

 

Over 23,000 hours of service – that is how much time that hundreds of South Shore volunteers contributed via Interfaith Social Services’ various programs this past year. Interfaith recognized this herculean accomplishment at our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Thursday June 15^th.

The evening featured food, fun and recognition for some very deserving individuals. Twenty local volunteers were inducted into Interfaith Social Services’ Volunteer Hall of Fame.

The Quarry Room at Quincy’s Elks Lodge hosted this year’s annual event. Guests enjoyed a dinner catered by Smokey Stax BBQ followed by an array of desserts prepared by Interfaith’s staff and board members. Interfaith operates one of Greater Boston’s largest emergency food pantries, a mental health counseling center, Thrift Shop, homelessness prevention program and other emergency assistance services. Since 1947 Interfaith Social Services has been a safety net for thousands of children and families from the South Shore who are struggling to make ends meet.

This year Interfaith is celebrating our 70^th anniversary. “For seven decades the principle of neighbors helping neighbors has guided our efforts, volunteers are the heart and soul of that outreach” said Interfaith’s Executive Director Rick Doane.

Interfaith’s Director of Development Paula Daniels further emphasized this point. “Whether they bag groceries for our food pantry clients or assist in planning our fundraising events, all of our volunteers are absolutely essential to Interfaith being able to deliver our programs. We would simply not be able to serve our clients without these caring individuals. Our annual Volunteer Appreciation Event is a celebration to recognize and honor each and every one of our incredible volunteers.”

This year twenty volunteers were inducted into The Matti Lang Volunteer Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is named after one of Interfaith’s most dedicated volunteers who gave decades of his life selflessly serving Interfaith’s clients. The honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame is bestowed upon those volunteers who have been serving within the organization regularly for at least one year. Their names are inscribed on a plaque which hangs in Interfaith’s foyer.

This year’s inductees are: Braintree resident Michelle Goldthwaite; Cohasset resident Jennifer Chu; Dorchester resident Allison Idris; Hingham residents Barbara Caron and Kim Johnson; Quincy residents Nancy Kearns, Linda Blais, Sarah Fong, Diane Leason, Fay Lee, Jack Patts, David DeBastos, Skip MacKinnon, Jean and Len Plante, Ned Pride and Kassie Purcell; Rockland resident Rhonda Lynch; Weymouth residents Wendy Cullivan and Sheryl Murphy.

Thank you to all of our volunteers who contribute so much to helping their neighbors in need!

 

Here are so photos from the event taken by professional photographer, and Tuesday morning food pantry volunteer, Christine Hurley.  

Last week Carrie MacLean was recognized as a nominee at Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA’s 2017 Excellence in Service Awards ceremony. Interfaith’s Executive Director Rick Doane was honored to highlight her contributions to our organization.

Carrie’s involvement with Interfaith Social Services goes back decades. She has been volunteering with our organization and participating in our annual walkathon since she was a teenager.

In 2014 Carrie spearheaded the launch of a volunteer initiative between Blue Cross employees and Interfaith’s Food Pantry. Interfaith Social Services operates one of the largest emergency food programs in Greater Boston, distributing over 500,000 meals to hungry clients every year. Over the past three years hundreds of Blue Crew members have served in the pantry. They have distributed groceries for our clients, they have handed our Halloween costumes and Easter Baskets to kids in need. They have worked in our food pantry garden growing fresh vegetables for our clients. They have become part of our team.

In 2015 alone Blue Crew members assembled and donated 57 backpacks full of school supplies so that the kids served by our food pantry could start the school year off right.

Each month Carrie coordinates a team of Blue Crew members who volunteer serving in our food pantry. Not only does she make sure that each team has all of the information they need before they arrive, she follows up with them afterward. She sends us feedback about their experience. This is invaluable in helping to give future volunteers the best experience possible.

Carrie personally organizes a holiday food drive at BCBSMA’s Quincy office each year and transports the donations to our food pantry. She has been doing this each year this since 2014.

She is currently coordinating a clothing drive at BCBSMA for our Thrift Shop and Career Clothing programs. In addition to collecting pajamas for Room to Grow and other items needed by Cradles to Crayons.

She brought a team of her colleagues, friends and family to our 5K Race in April. This #StopTheStigma event shows that our community stands with those affected by mental illness or addiction.

Interfaith’s business model is structured around the principle of “neighbors helping neighbors.” We only have a few paid employees. Wherever possible volunteers staff our programs and provide services to our clients. Last year volunteers contributed over 23,000 of service through Interfaith Social Services programs. The teams of Blue Crew members that Carrie organizes make it possible for us to fulfill our mission. Our organization could not survive without this kind of support from the community.

Everyone here at Interfaith is so grateful for Carrie’s contributions. We also feel blessed to have a business like Blue Cross here on the South Shore; a business that not only supports but encourages and recognizes their employees who are invested in the community.

Depression. Addiction. Anxiety. These illnesses affect one in five adults every year. So why aren’t more people taking about these health issues? Interfaith Social Services’ hosted our 43rd Annual South Shore Walk & 5K Race on Saturday April 29, 2017. Our goal was to get people talking and to raise funding for those in need of treatment who had nowhere else to turn for help. Our community rallied – hundreds of people filled the streets of Quincy – mission accomplished!

A record setting number of walkers and runners turned out and raised over $33,000!

The phrase “Stop the Stigma” was painted on almost all available surfaces at the event. From t-shirts to signs the 5K and family fun festivities afterward all focused on supporting community members affected by mental illness and addiction.

“It shameful that there are stigmas associated with addiction, depression and other mental health issues,” said Rick Doane, executive director of Interfaith Social Services. “People talk openly about their struggles with ailments like diabetes and cancer. However, many keep mental illness under wraps. This race gives us an opportunity to proclaim that there is no shame in mental illness. We walk, run and rally with family, friends and others to show those who are suffering that they can hold their heads high, their community stands with them.”

The 5K race followed a scenic and challenging course through Quincy’s Squantum neighborhood. The Boston skyline and Dorchester Bay served as a picturesque backdrop on this sometimes hilly but well-paved course, which started and ended at The Kennedy Center in Quincy.

After the runners and walkers finished the race they enjoyed a Family Fun Celebration at The Kennedy Center. The festivities included a kids’ Fun Run, raffles, music, a bounce house provided by Busy Bee Jumpers, air brush tattoos provide by Tribal Sun Entertainment and more. The New England Revolution Battalion (the street team for Revolution Soccer), WROR 105.7 and Dave & Busters provided additional games and prizes. Local restaurants, Unchained Pizza and Balducci’s House of Pizza, provided lunch to all participants. Everyone also enjoyed frozen treats from New England Ice Cream. Runners relaxed with a neck and shoulder massage from Body Benefit Massage Therapy.

The South Shore Walk & 5K Race is supported by many local businesses, including Platinum level sponsors: Arbella Insurance, BMC HealthNet Plan, The New England Regional Council of Carpenters and Gold level sponsors: Makepeace Digital Imaging and Quincy College.

This year Interfaith is celebrating our 70th anniversary. For seven decades we have been reaching out to families in need. Our New Directions Counseling Center is our oldest program. The Center is a safety net to make sure that anyone who needs it can receive care regardless of their ability to pay. Interfaith was founded when the South Shore was facing a crisis. Thousands of people were losing their jobs as the shipyards decreased production after World War II.

Today our community is facing a different kind of crisis. Addiction has robbed our community of too many people; it has harmed too many families. At Saturday’s 5K our community stood together and said to our friends and loved ones who are suffering, ‘there is nothing wrong with reaching out for help.’

It is never too late to support this cause. Click here to donate: http://ow.ly/ms4Vq

Thank you to everyone who made the 2017 South Shore Walk  and 5K Race one of our most successful ever!

Here are more photos from the 5K on April 29, 2017. Photo credit Hurley Event Photography.

 

 

 

 

 

On Saturday March 18, 2017 a team of volunteers, predominantly under the age of 10, assembled over 400 Easter Baskets for the children served by Interfaith’s food pantry. Over 2,000 lbs. of candy and small toys were donated by community members to fill the baskets. The baskets will be distributed this month as families visit the food pantry. The basket assembly day and incredible donations from the community were amazing! What a testament to the remarkable supporters who sustain Interfaith and our programs. Here are some photos from the basket assembly event:

What a night! On Friday December 9, 2016 over 500 guests filled Granite Links’ Ballroom in Quincy Massachusetts to set another fundraising record for Interfaith Social Services. Over $300,000 was raised to provide food, mental health counselling and emergency assistance to South Shore residents in need! Accounting for one-third of Interfaith’s overall annual budget, this Gala is incredibly important to our organization. We couldn’t keep our doors open without the support we receive on this special night each year.

We know that many people wanted to attend the event but were unable to because the Gala sold out. So, for those of you who couldn’t be there in person here is an overview of an evening filled with food, fun, libations and breathtaking generosity.

As guests arrived some were lucky enough to enjoy a ride in courtesy Tesla vehicles which brought people from their cars to the ballroom. After checking in everyone was greeted with a signature cocktail crafted by Boston Harbor Distillery. Then the tastings began…

Chef Ming Cao from Fuji prepared an amazing selection of Japanese makimonorolls. The crew from Island Creek Oysters worked hard all night shucking oysters for guests. Chef Greg Jordan and his team from The Quarry Restaurant & Lounge whipped up a delicious Provencal Cassoulet. Chef Sam Cabral-Curtis from The Corner Stop Eatery made a scrumptious dish of tuna, avocado, cilantro & lime with corn tortilla chips.

Gala attendees were privy to the next big thing opening in Quincy in early 2017. Chef Garner Blume from Belfry Hall prepared Benton’s country ham with homemade biscuits and gravy. Chef Frank Van Overbeeke from iCater gave us all a treat with Mississippi pot roast and smashed potatoes. Our dine-around reception wouldn’t be complete without Chef Paul Wahlberg of Alma Nove. His dishes are always a crowd pleaser.

At the end of the evening Pastry Chef Kate Holowchik from The Townshend whipped up some homemade S’Mores Brownies. Paired with these desserts, the crew from Coffee Break Cafe treated all of the Gala guests to some specialty coffee selections. To top it off, Granite Links served their sinfully decadent gourmet hot chocolate.

This amazing dine-around and dessert receptions were just two of the many festive activities guests enjoyed at this year’s Feed the Hungry Gala. Carnival style games kept everyone competing for fantastic prizes all night. Games included: Wine Ring-toss, Hole-in-One, Polar Pong, Snowball Toss, Giving Tree, 50/50 Raffle and the guest favorite Blinky Light Game.

In between playing games guests rocked out to the musical stylings of the very talented Mark Greel Band. Master Illusionist Darren Yong amazed attendees with his sleight of hand.

Not only did guests enjoy amazing food, games and live entertainment they were treated to an assortment of adult beverages as well. There were two incredible wine tasting stations courtesy of Bin Ends Wine. Spirit tastings were scattered throughout the venue thanks to Bradford Distillery, Bully Boy Distillers and Boston Harbor Distillery. For the nondrinkers, like Interfaith’s executive director Rick Doane, Simpson Spring set up an array of their unique soda samplings from the oldest bottling plant in the United States.

Using BidPal’s technology guests bid on an amazing variety of silent auction packages including signed sports memorabilia, getaways, exclusive experiences and other one of a kind items.  Yes, it is too late to bid on them but at least you can take a peak to see what kinds of packages to expect for next year…when you buy your tickets extra early before they sell out again 🙂

Almost all of the items in our silent and live auctions were donated by local businesses. Please support all of the wonderfully generous businesses who donated. Tell the managers that you heard about them at the Feed the Hungry Gala, show our community that supporting local nonprofits is important to you as a consumer.

Emcee extraordinaire Latoyia Edwards of NECN/NBC Boston did an amazing job guiding guests through the evening’s program. Before the live auction began everyone got an update on Stephanie, a food pantry client who had spoken at last year’s Gala. Click here to see how she is doing today.

After hearing from Stephanie the live auction began. Guests had the opportunity to bid on exclusive theater premiere tickets, a vacation getaway courtesy of JetBlue, a Tesla for the weekend, one of a kind dining experiences, an amazing backyard transformation package and more.

As bidding wound down Latoiya brought Priscilla, a food pantry client, to the stage. Struggling with emotion, Priscilla told her story. She explained how she and her husband John, both in their 40’s, were surprised with a baby son born in September 2015. They had been living paycheck to paycheck when John fractured his elbow. With a baby and medical expenses, groceries were running low and Christmas seemed impossible. That is when Priscilla walked to Interfaith’s offices. She talked about the joy and humility she felt as Interfaith’s volunteers offered her fresh vegetables, diapers, Christmas gifts for her son and more. Priscilla spoke on behalf of the thousands of clients who visit Interfaith every year.

In an amazing display of generosity guests then raised their bid numbers and, in a matter of minutes, donated over $70,000 to help all the families served by Interfaith!

After this emotional outpouring of support Interfaith’s Executive Director Rick Doane recognized another key component of Interfaith’s service model – our volunteers. Last year volunteers gave over 23,000 hours of service within Interfaith’s programs. One volunteer was honored at the Gala as this year’s Community Hero of the Year, Charlene Manning.

Charlene volunteers in Interfaith’s Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop. She serves in the shop almost every day of the week. She is there early in the morning and into the evening, sorting, organizing, planning sales and getting the shop ready for customers. Charlene looks for any opportunity to bring a little joy to the children sitting in our food pantry waiting room. She is constantly thinking about ways that she can support Interfaith’s various programs. The qualification for being selected as the community hero is “one who inspires others through selfless service.” Charlene absolutely embodies that ideal.

If you didn’t know it, Interfaith has best Thrift Shop anywhere! All sales fund our programs. The shop is entirely run by volunteers. Donate to us and shop with us. Stop by and you’re guaranteed to run into Charlene and many of our other amazing volunteers.

After the program many guests danced the night away during the dessert reception. When they finally dragged themselves away from the dance floor, attendees received these awesome gift bags packed with treats from Gala sponsors and friends.

The evening was fantastic, raising more money than any other fundraiser in Interfaith’s history, but it takes a lot of work to make it all happen. Interfaith’s Feed the Hungry Gala committee is an incredible group of local volunteers who show their compassion and dedication by working overtime collecting auction items, sponsorships, organizing volunteers and more. They are amazing!

2016 Feed the Hungry Gala Committee

Want to see more photos from the event? Check out our album on Facebook (photo credit Pierce Harman Photography.)

It takes a team to get the venue ready for the Gala every year. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers from Arbella, they transformed Granite Links Ballroom into a winter wonderland.