Launching a Model Partnership

In March 2020, lockdowns began, schools closed, and businesses struggled. Food insecurity, always an issue in the best of times, skyrocketed to historic highs.

But as the need surged throughout the community, the YMCA of Greater Boston (the Y) sprang into action and boldly broadened its mission. Within a week, the Y became the emergency food distribution hub for hundreds of local families thanks to a partnership with The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB).

At the height of the pandemic, the YMCA and GBFB delivered more than 5,000 full grocery bags a week to more than 125 locations, including “grab-and-go” meal sites and neighbors’ doorsteps. Thanks to friends like you, each bag was packed with enough fresh produce and staples to help feed a family.

What started as an emergency response to meet a critical need has expanded to a hunger relief effort that continues to support neighbors in need. Today the Y’s hunger relief program operates out of a donated warehouse in East Boston which has allowed them to scale their ability to receive and distribute food, especially the fresh produce they receive from GBFB.

“GBFB has been an amazing partner. It’s been an extraordinary experience seeing how much we can make a difference together.”
—April Strack, YMCA warehouse manager “