A Teacher Learns About Food Insecurity—and Shares the Mission with the Next Generation

For Janet McLaughlin, there is always an opportunity to learn—and to teach. The retired teacher, who lives in Medford, is now volunteering at GBFB. She volunteers most Fridays, carefully arranging lemons, bread, and oatmeal into boxes to be distributed to friends and neighbors in need across Eastern Massachusetts.

“I’ve gone by GBFB for years and years, but I never knew about how massive an operation it is, or where the food goes,” Janet says, adding that she marvels at the efficiency.

After volunteer shifts, Janet teaches her grandchildren about GBFB and its mission. She often takes photos of the food she’s sorted and packed to show them later.

When Janet’s five-year-old grandchild asked, “Why doesn’t
everyone just go to the grocery store?” Janet explained that it’s more complicated—that some people may not have the money or resources for food, so GBFB steps in to help.

With each photo and story Janet shares, her grandchildren are learning about the importance of food banks in our community, and the value of giving back. “It’s very fulfilling for me,” Janet says, “and my own volunteering is also helping my grandchildren.”