A Message from GBFB Leadership

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Over the past year, we’ve seen the great strides we can make through our collective actions.

During a year marked by economic uncertainty and profound change across our country, The Greater Boston Food Bank celebrated a number of milestones: we had the third-highest fundraising year in our tenure, secured historic investments in the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), hosted a record-breaking Women Fighting Hunger breakfast and fundraiser, awarded two multi-year transformational grants to partners in our hunger-relief network, and more.

The year was also marked by change for GBFB with the announcement of Catherine’s pending retirement. Both of us are profoundly grateful for all that has been accomplished over the last 30 years, and we are confident and hopeful about the next generation of leaders who will carry GBFB and the movement forward.

In 2026, the anti-hunger movement and the communities we serve will continue to face economic and political headwinds. Hunger has risen to record levels in our state, from 19 percent in 2019 to 37 percent, according to GBFB’s 2025 Statewide Food Access Report. GBFB estimates an increase in demand for food, as shifting policies at the federal level have resulted in major cuts to the food assistance programs that people rely on. We must increase our efforts to meet the growing need in Massachusetts.

Nearly 45 years ago, in GBFB’s first annual report, our founders wrote: “The [Greater] Boston Food Bank, New England's first food bank, has lived up to its promise and wants to promise more.”

GBFB’s commitment is steadfast: no one will face hunger alone. We will continue to ensure that people in all 190 cities and towns we serve are empowered to put healthy food on the table.

Our work could not be done without you. You help GBFB restore hope, dignity, and respect to hardworking people in need.