Women Fighting Hunger

Thursday, October 22, 2026
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Save the date for our annual Women Fighting Hunger Breakfast—a powerful gathering of compassionate, driven leaders committed to ending hunger for women, children, and families across Eastern Massachusetts. This event provides an opportunity to make a difference in GBFB’s hunger-relief efforts at a time when 1 in 3 people in Massachusetts are experiencing food insecurity, and recent policy changes are putting food access at risk.

In 2025, we celebrated 16 years of Women Fighting Hunger. thanks to our incredible event committee and supporters, we welcomed 330 attendees and raised $1.1 million for food security in Eastern Massachusetts!

This year, we’ll come together once again with the same passion and purpose to continue building a hunger-free future. We hope to see you there!

2026 Women Fighting Hunger Honoree

Catherine D’Amato

GBFB president and CEO Catherine D’Amato is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. D’Amato joined The Greater Boston Food Bank as CEO in 1995 and recently announced her plans to retire. During her tenure, D’Amato has led GBFB through an unprecedented period of growth and expansion.  

Under D’Amato’s leadership, GBFB increased distribution from 7.5 million meals a year in 1995 to nearly 92 million meals in 2025, a feat that included building out the non-profit’s distribution infrastructure to encompass 600 partner food pantries, meal programs, and direct distribution sites located in 190 locations across Eastern Massachusetts.. Today, the $180 million charitable organization helps fill the hunger gap for 600,000 people in Eastern Massachusetts. 

Landmark initiatives accomplished during D’Amato’s tenure include leading the effort to establish the first statewide hunger study informed directly by people experiencing food insecurity, and establishing the first official food bank nutrition policy integrating the expertise of medical and nutrition professionals into food bank operations. Additionally, D’Amato has secured major policy wins, expanding the Commonwealth’s investment in the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), championing universal school meals, access to school breakfast and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and building partnerships that address the intersection of hunger, health, and equity.  

We are proud to announce Catherine D’Amato as this year’s Women Fighting Hunger honoree. 

2026 Women Fighting Hunger Committee Members

Jennifer Harrington, Co-Chair
Anja Shafer, Co-Chair
Susan Aaronson
Lynn Bay Dayton
Diane Bevan
Melanie Blower
Amanda Borsa
Krista Busnach
Olivia DeMichaelis
Judy Doctoroff
Alix Mackey
Jill Maher
Sandra Manzella
Joy McCallum
Maura Moxley
Pamela Neville
Sheryl Rosner
Wendy Ryan
Cheryl Smith
Stacy Smith
Lori Tishler
Camille Valentine

It’s not too late to join us!
To learn about joining the WFH committee, contact Maria Gieg at mgieg@gbfb.org or (617) 598-5044.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Check out our sponsorship opportunities.

Women Fighting Hunger Champions

Women Fighting Hunger Champions are dedicated advocates and leaders working to end hunger in our community through volunteerism, fundraising, and awareness initiatives. Members of this group set a remarkable example for others to follow, reminding us of the impact we can achieve through compassion and action.

*Past Women Fighting Hunger Honorees

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