Hunger Hurts. We Can Help.

Dear Friends, During a July press conference, President Obama put a human face on the potential consequences of a government debt default:  “I’m getting letters from people who write me and say, at the end of every month I have to skip meals,” Obama said.  “Senior citizens on Social Security who are just hanging on by a thread.  Folks who have severe disabilities who are desperate every single month to try to figure out how they’re going to make ends meet The President’s words highlighted how the nation’s continuing economic challenges are putting more people at risk of hunger in our community.  Forty-seven percent of people in Eastern Massachusetts who are in need nonetheless earn too much to qualify for government assistance.  That’s why The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) has seen a 23% increase in requests for food assistance in recent years. GBFB’s response to the growing problem of hunger is ambitious.  We’ve committed to increasing food distribution over the next two years by an additional 3.5 million pounds to provide a total of 29.6 million meals.  That’s one meal a day for every person needing emergency food assistance in Eastern Massachusetts. Our state-of-the-art facility gives us the capacity to take in and distribute the food needed to achieve that goal.  But to succeed, we’re going to need increased food and financial donations.  We will also need to engage as many people as possible, to encourage them to play their role in ending hunger in our community. That’s why we’re launching a new hunger awareness campaign this fall, and why you’re seeing here our re-designed web site that is more accessible and informative. Last year, with our partners and supporters, The Greater Boston Food Bank provided food to as many as 545,000 people in need in our community.   We hope you’ll continue to give generously to enable us to sustain and increase that level of food distribution.  Together we can provide one meal a day to those in need. Thank you, Catherine D’Amato President/CEO