Running for GBFB: The Sieniewicz Family Story

On April 20, Tom, Ben, and Jasper Sieniewicz will be running the 130th Boston Marathon® presented by Bank of America on behalf of the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB).  

The Sieniewicz family has a special connection to GBFB. Alongside serving as the Vice Chair of our Board of Directors, Tom Sieniewicz is a partner at the architecture and design firm, NBBJ Design, which designed GBFB’s 117,000 square-foot Yawkey Distribution Center. The new facility was instrumental in expanding GBFB’s capacity to serve Eastern Massachusetts and supply critical food to those in need.  

Tom spread his passion for solving food insecurity to his family. His son, Jasper Sieniewicz, fondly recalls attending the groundbreaking of the new GBFB facility in 2007 and the immense impact that it had on him. Jasper recalls how his family emphasized the value of giving back to the community. He learned that there are very few things that have a more immediate impact than helping others put food on the table. While studying Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Jasper learned more about food insecurity and the disconnect between the public and our food production system.   

Tom’s nephew, Ben Sieniewicz, began running after the birth of his second son, wanting to model healthy behaviors for his sons and support his wife.  As a cardiologist practicing in the U.K., he observes the effects of poor nutrition and food insecurity regularly in his practice. He believes tackling food insecurity is not only a social issue but also a vital part of preventing and managing chronic disease.  

The Sieniewicz family is proud to continue their support for GBFB by running the Boston Marathon, bringing attention to the issue of food insecurity and raising money to support their neighbors in need.  

The Sieniewicz Family’s Story and Why They’re Running for GBFB 

Tom was first inspired to run marathons by the movie “Marathon Man” at 16 years old. He finished his first Boston Marathon 16 years later in 1993 and has been running ever since.  

He especially likes running in extreme New England weather. This year, he’s been running in the cold, snow, and freezing cold. Tom told us he is already on his third pair of running shoes, as the first two pairs are now blown out and salt encrusted. After 23 marathons, Tom knows this for certain: there is no GU (energy gel), special music, or atomic shoes that will do much to help you get over the finish line. Only two things matter: putting in the training miles and motivation! 

The Sieniewicz family’s motivation is to promote the mission of the food bank to a 26.2-mile-long audience. They tell us it’s easy to keep going when you focus on the food bank’s mission: to help feed our neighbors, especially hungry children in Massachusetts. They are outraged that any of their neighbors could be hungry, in this place of so much prosperity, and are humbled by how generous the community is. 

Tom sums up his family’s marathon preparation simply: “None of us Sieniewiczes is a natural athlete. But we are stubborn! What gets us over the finish line are endurance and perseverance – pretty much the same things it takes to tackle big problems like food insecurity.” 

Want to support our runners? Visit their fundraising pages to donate and be sure to cheer them on if you’re watching on Marathon Monday!