Tom Gifford was a true believer that “hunger does not take a vacation.” In 1992, this conviction inspired him to run what would become the Beverly Bootstraps Food Pantry.
“I saw a job advertised for the director of the food pantry at the First Baptist Church in Beverly…I thought I would just go in there for three months and learn how to run the food pantry in Salem. Then First Baptist Pastor Beth Loughhead talked me into taking the job for the long-term, applying for grants and raising money. Two years later we incorporated separately from the church as Beverly Bootstraps.”
With Tom’s vision, and the generosity of donors, volunteers, and the community, Beverly Bootstraps has grown into a leading social service agency on the North Shore. Community service was central to Tom’s life. Seeing the very real hunger needs in our community, he brought both his passion and his business expertise to address them head-on.
Beverly Bootstraps is unique in its approach to hunger relief because of Tom’s guidance. He believed in offering “a hand up, not a hand out.” He understood that while immediate food assistance is vital, people also need community support, access to resources, and opportunities to improve their own lives. “Our mission is to end hunger and its root causes. When you look at the root causes of hunger and how to break the cycle of poverty, you need a long-term vision. To get rid of a weed in your garden, you have to pull it out by the roots.”
Beverly Bootstraps would not be the organization it is today without Tom’s compassion, wisdom, and leadership. As we continue to grow, we strive to honor his legacy by staying true to our mission—providing critical resources so that families and individuals can achieve self-sufficiency.
Our hearts go out to Tom’s family and to the entire community, who have lost a tireless champion for those in need. His impact will be felt for generations to come.
For those who wish to read more about his life, his obituary can be found here.
