b"Catherine's MessageDear Friends,Meeting A Rising DemandIn the midst of a global pandemic and historic unemployment, food insecurity in our community has risen to unprecedented levels. The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) distributed more food this spring than at any other time in our 40-year history.Summer is normally a time when demand at our agencies grows as school breakfast and lunches become unavailable. These times are anything but normal, however, as schools have been closed for months and demand has been increasing at almost every oneDue to COVID-19 safety measures, volunteers of our partner agencies since March.at the Medway Village Food Pantry take client food orders from outside the pantry and help In this issue youll read about theload tons of food into each vehicle. many ways our Team Members are redoubling their efforts to reach theLike most of our more than 500 partner hunger-relief agencies, growing number of people strugglingthe Medway Village Food Pantry has seen a surge in people to afford nutritious food.seeking help due to the COVID-19 crisis. Youll also read about Kelly and seeWeve seen a 40 to 50 percent increase in the number of families how GBFB helped her in her time ofcoming in a given week compared to the same time last year, need and continues to support hersaid Susan Dietrich, director of the Medway Village Food Pantry. familys ability to lead healthy, activeIts been a lot of new families. We usually average five to six new lives. families per month and now its about five to six new families per week.Your donation helps us strengthen families like Kellys, communities likeSince mid-March, Susan has changed the operation of the pantry Medway, and people in need acrossto be completely outdoors, so people can be safely spaced apart, Eastern Massachusetts.adhering to all social distancing guidelines, and has added additional orders to supplement her normal food orders from We cant go back to the way thingsThe Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB).were before this pandemic, but we can be sure that no matter whatI know we wouldnt be able to do any of this without the support comes next, GBFB will be ready.of GBFB. We couldnt do this if we were on our own, Susan said. I know that together, we can endWe dont know how long this crisis will last, but we remain committed hunger here. to helping struggling families across Eastern Massachusetts.Your support is needed now more than ever to help us get healthy Sincerely,food to our neighbors in need. Catherine DAmato Learn more at :President and CEOGBFB .org/COVIDResponsePhotos courtesy of the Medway Village Food Pantry 2"