The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), the largest hunger-relief organization in New England, awarded $35,000 to Beverly Bootstraps, which serves Beverly, Manchester, Essex, Hamilton, and Wenham. This grant will support its ability to empower food insecure neighbors in the area, bolstering GBFB’s network of food distribution agencies and advancing hunger-relief efforts across Eastern Massachusetts in response to the continuing hunger crisis in the state.
The Community Investment grant program, originally founded in 2013, has been investing in GBFB partner agencies annually for over a decade. This investment will enhance Beverly Bootstraps’ capacity to provide nutritious food to individuals and families in need. The grant will support critical renovations and upgrades to the Food Pantry, including the purchase of a new walk-in cooler and database system. These upgrades will enhance efficiency and enable them to better serve an increasing number of clients.
A GBFB partner, Beverly Bootstraps provides critical resources to families and individuals so they may achieve self-sufficiency. They offer emergency and long-term assistance, including access to food, housing stability, adult and youth programs, education, counseling, and advocacy.
”We are thrilled to have been awarded this grant from the Greater Boston Food Bank.” says Riche Jache, Director of Client Services at Beverly Bootstraps. “Since 1992, we have ensured that families and individuals have access to the nutritious food they need. We have seen an increasing number of people turning to us in times of hardship. This grant will allow us to transform our Food Pantry into a more welcoming and efficient experience for clients to access food. Serving those coming through our doors with kindness, dignity and the care they deserve is our goal, and this grant will enhance our ability to do so. We are grateful to the GBFB for investing in our future.”
This grant coincides with GBFB’s fifth annual report on food insecurity and food access in Massachusetts. The 2025 study, “Food Access in Massachusetts: The Cost of Hunger,” reveals consistently high rates of food insecurity in the state and the medical and social costs associated with a lack of regular access to healthy food.
“GBFB’s network of dedicated agency partners continue to inspire us to be innovative in our efforts to address food insecurity across Eastern Massachusetts,” said Catherine D’Amato, president and CEO at GBFB. “With deep concern about the potential impacts of federal policy changes on food access across our region, we aim to continue to invest in those communities facing a heightened need for food and drive progress towards hunger relief through strategic grantmaking to our network of agency partners. As the cost of living in our region continues to rise, we look forward to seeing how these funds bolster Beverly Bootstraps’ ability to provide nutritious meals to our neighbors in Beverly, Manchester, Essex, Hamilton and Wenham.
