Thank you to everyone who came out to our 20th annual Feed the Hungry Gala on Friday night! It was truly a spectacular evening. We were able to raise nearly $385,000 to support Interfaith’s programs, including the food pantry, New Directions Counseling Center and HomeSafe.
Scroll down for lots and lots of pictures from the event!
We kicked things off months ago (February, in fact!) as our gala committee worked tirelessly to plan the event, secure sponsorships and organize the auctions.
![The 2017 Feed the Hungry Gala committee.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/gala_committee_edit-1024x656.jpg)
We were thrilled to learn in October that Walmart, an annual gala donor since 2014, would be raising their donation amount to $70,000 for our 70th anniversary! (Read more about this wonderful contribution here at massnonprofitnews.) Walmart joined Arbella Insurance Foundation and JetBlue Vacations as the lead sponsors of the event.
![Ally Donnelly, NBC Boston and gala co-chair, with Robin Organ and Chris Buchanan, Director of Public Affairs & State & Local Government Relations for Walmart.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/ally_chris_edit-1024x863.jpg)
Our morning kicked off bright and early Dec. 8, as the venue, Granite Links Golf Club, began to transform into a red and white, winter-themed wonderland. Our friends at Fruit Center Marketplace once again set up their spectacular produce display in the rotunda. Best of all, the gorgeous fruit and veggies in the display were later sent back to Interfaith to distribute to our food pantry clients!
![Michael Dwyer, Ryan Keyes & Joe Sullivan, from Fruit Center Marketplace spent hours setting up this amazing display.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/sammons_IMG_20171208_124549-1024x768.jpg)
![Detail of the Fruit Center Marketplace display, all of which was donated to Interfaith's food pantry after the event.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/sammons_IMG_20171208_142804-768x1024.jpg)
A group of wonderful corporate volunteers from Arbella spent the morning hauling supplies to the venue, constructing Arbella/JetBlue swag bags and jumping in wherever needed. Thank you, Team Arbella!
![Arbella volunteers (in green shirts) and Paula Daniels, Interfaith's Development Director, on the morning of the event.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/arbella_edit-800x1024.jpg)
![The Arbella/JetBlue swag bags contained goodies from J.P. Licks, Freeman Dental, Coola Suncare, KIND Snacks, Trimino and more.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/swag_edit.jpg)
Our silent auction table, with nearly 40 fabulous packages, was assembled. From Disney vacations to sports tickets to foodie getaways, the packages this year were even more impressive than in years past.
![The silent auction table.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/silent_auction_edit.jpg)
![Attendees could bid on a Celtics package including game tickets and a ball signed by the 2017/2018 team.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/auction_celtics_edit.jpg)
Later in the evening guests used mobile bidding to try to win packages. Congratulations to all our package winners!
![A guest browses (and hopefully bids on!) the silent auction items.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/mobile_bid_edit.jpg)
Meanwhile, chefs from The Quarry, The Townshend, Alma Nove, The Corner Stop, The Range, Island Creek Oysters, JP Fuji Group and Granite Links began setting up for the chef dine around.
![The Townshend team.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/townshend_edit.jpg)
![Alma Nove.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/alma_nove_edit.jpg)
![Granite Links.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/granite_links_edit.jpg)
![Island Creek Oysters](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/island_creek_edit.jpg)
![The Quarry](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/quarry_arancini_edit.jpg)
Joined by beverages from Bin Ends Wine, Boston Harbor Distillery, Bradford Distillery, Mayflower Brewing, Simpson Springs, Samuel Adams and Bully Boy Distillers, there was quite a variety of tasty food and drinks for our guests to enjoy!
![Simpson Spring](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/simpson_spring_edit.jpg)
![Boston Harbor Distillery](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/boston_harbor_distillery_edit.jpg)
Montilio’s wheeled in their six-tiered vanilla and chocolate cake, later to be joined by desserts from Fratelli’s, Sadie Mae’s Cupcakes and beverages from Coffee Break Cafe.
![Paula Daniels and I with the awesome cake from Montilio's.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/paula_jen_cake_edit.jpg)
![Sadie Mae's chocolate peppermint cupcakes.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/sadie_mae_cupcakes_Edit.jpg)
As the evening began, guests entered to see decorated trees from Kennedy’s Country Gardens before they approached check in.
![Decorated trees from Kennedy's Country Gardens](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/sammons_IMG_20171208_130139-768x1024.jpg)
![Registration volunteers](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/registration_edit.jpg)
They enjoyed a Winter Cosmo welcome cocktail from Bradford Distillery before moving on to try their hand at the Wheel of Chance.
As guests roamed about the room, they had opportunities to play games, including wine ring toss, the snowball toss, putting for a hole-in-one and our new addition, Plinko.
![Ron Collins (snowman suit), an Interfaith volunteer , watches as guest Barbara Pyne tries out the Snowball Toss game.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/snowball_edit.jpg)
![The Hole-In-One game.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/holeinone_edit.jpg)
![Interfaith volunteer Robert Slack poses with our new Plinko board, constructed in-house by board member Ed Kelly.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/plinko_edit.jpg)
![Board member Linda Blais, left, volunteered at the Wine Ring Toss station. Guest Amy Ledwell gives it a try as guest Chili Salazar looks on.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/winetoss2_edit.jpg)
![Food pantry manager Eileen Kelly, right, chats with guests at the Giving Tree, a station where guests could purchase an ornament which in turn provides holiday gifts for children of Interfaith's food pantry clients.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/givingtree_edit.jpg)
As the program began, guests took their seats and were welcomed by our gracious emcee, Latoyia Edwards from NBC Boston. Our gala committee chairs, Ally Donnelly of NBC Boston and Donna Mavromates of MavroCreative, briefly spoke, followed by our main sponsors: Beverly Tangvik of Arbella and Chis Buchanan of Walmart.
“We continually seek organizations that will utilize the financial support we give them in thoughtful, responsible and impactful ways,” Arbella’s Beverly Tangvik said. “With Interfaith, we can be confident in knowing that our funds will be used in this spirit. Interfaith also supports one of Arbella’s core values – citizenship. It is the volunteer organization of choice by many Arbella employees and after a day of service, volunteers truly feel like they have made a difference.”
![Our event emcee, Latoyia Edwards of NBC Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/latoyia_edit.jpg)
![Gala co-chairs, Donna Mavromates, left, and Ally Donnelly.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/donna_ally_edit.jpg)
![Beverly Tangvik of Arbella.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/beverly_tangvik_edit.jpg)
![Chris Buchanan of Walmart. Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/chris_buchanan_edit.jpg)
Then our live auction kicked off! Packages this year included a backyard makeover, trip to Universal Studios Florida, a JetBlue Turks & Caicos vacation, premium Patriots tickets and a farm-to-table dinner for 20.
![Guest John Tallarida holds up his paddle during the auction.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/bidder_422_edit.jpg)
![Guest Matt Donnelly raises his paddle during the live auction.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/bidder_193_edit.jpg)
Our Executive Director, Rick Doane, spoke about Interfaith’s missions and played a video recorded by Jill, one of Interfaith’s clients.
![Interfaith's Executive Director Rick Doane.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/rick_edit.jpg)
![Jill and Anaiya](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/jill-234x300.jpg)
Meet Jill: Jill works full time as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant. She lives here on the South Shore. She is a loving mom and daughter. Her mother is retired and lives with Jill to help provide child-care for two year-old Anaiya. Recently, Jill and her husband filed for divorce. Her husband moved out of Massachusetts and is not providing any child support. Struggling to provide for her daughter, her mother and herself, Jill turned to Interfaith Social Services for help.
Jill’s story is one of thousands. Thousands of children and families, like Jill and Anaiya’s, need a hand up during difficult times in their lives. Thanks to the assistance that they received from Interfaith, Jill’s family has food, diapers, Christmas gifts, counseling services and much more. And this assistance comes from the support we receive from events like the gala. It was moving to see the generosity of our attendees as they pledged their hard-earned money to support our missions during the Fund the Need.
![Attendees watch Jill's video message.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/video_crowd_edit.jpg)
![Guests pledge donations to the Fund the Need.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/fund_need_edit.jpg)
The program ended as we honored Bob Taylor, former director of Interfaith and this year’s Community Hero. Bob was the Executive Director of Interfaith Social Services from 1967–1994. Then he retired….Until 2001 when he came back again and was director for another three years. He then continued to see clients for more than a decade.
The Community Hero of the Year award is presented to someone each year who inspires others through selfless service and Bob definitely meets that criteria!
![Community Hero of the Year, Bob Taylor.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/bob_taylor_edit.jpg)
The evening ended with more music, dessert and dancing. We would love to see you at the gala next year! Get your tickets early!
Take a look at more photos below and browse our gallery on Facebook.
![George Burke and guest.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_9_edit.jpg)
![](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_4_edit.jpg)
![](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_5_edit.jpg)
![Gala co-chair Donna Mavromates with John and Molly Fabiano. Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_10_edit.jpg)
![Cynthia Simonides and Donna Mavromates. Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_cynthia_simonides_donna_edit.jpg)
![Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_edit.jpg)
![Glenn Marshall and gala co-chair Ally Donnelly. Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_glenn_marshall_and_ally_edit.jpg)
![Jennifer and Adam Chu. Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_jennifer_and_adam_chu_edit.jpg)
![Katie and Jay Catlender. Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_katie_and_jay_catlender_edit.jpg)
![Linda Blais and Matt Witkowski manned the Wine Toss game. Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_linda_blais_and-matt_witkowski_edit.jpg)
![John Hajjar and his team from Foxcroft. Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_1_edit.jpg)
![Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_3_edit.jpg)
![A Hole-In-One game winner with our Food Pantry Driver, Geoff Bowen. Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_6_edit.jpg)
![Gala committee member Jen Chu poses with chef Paul Wahlberg of Alma Nove. Wahlberg dropped by unexpectedly to check on the Alma Nove dining station. Courtesy photo.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/jen_chu_and_paul.jpg)
![Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/guests_8_edit.jpg)
![Dancing the night away. Photo by FayFoto Boston.](https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/dancing_edit.jpg)