Greater Boston Labor Council donates to Mattapan food pantry serving one of city’s most food-insecure neighborhoods
Joined by Mayor Janey, GBLC’s donation will aid Shirley’s Pantry, one of the only sites that provide meat and cheese to area families in need
The Greater Boston Labor Council represents more than 100,000 union members and their families, 24 cities and towns, and dozens of affiliated unions.
The GBLC donated a new freezer unit to Shirley’s Pantry, which serves one of Boston’s most food-insecure neighborhoods.
Friday, May 21st at 11:15 a.m.
213 River Street, Mattapan, MA 02126
COVID-19 has put tremendous stress — increased health and safety risks, job or pay loss, healthcare insecurity, food and water insecurity, childcare shortages, decreased shelter stability — on communities served by Shirley’s Pantry. The state’s food pantries have experienced greater demand for their services over the past year, while also having to adapt their operations to protect their clients and volunteers from the virus.
“During this crucial time of recovery, we must support those who stepped up to provide for our communities. Shirley’s Pantry has been one of those organizations serving our families at the time of need,” said Darlene Lombos, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Greater Boston Labor Council (GBLC). “Their unceasing commitment to the region has proved vital in helping Mattapan families put food on the table, and we hope that this donation will help them serve more community members in the upcoming months.”
“Last month, I had the opportunity to visit Shirley’s Pantry to learn more about their work to create access to healthy food for all residents in need,” said Acting Mayor Kim Janey. “Throughout the pandemic and beyond, it’s critical that we continue to work together as partners to make sure all residents have the resources they need to protect their health and wellbeing. Thank you to Greater Boston Labor Council and Shirley’s Pantry for your support for the Mattapan community.”
The Healthy Baby, Healthy Child Food Pantry was renamed Shirley’s Pantry in 2019, in honor of Shirley Shillingford, a longtime advocate for Boston’s poor and hungry who has run the pantry for 29 years. The Pantry, operated by the Boston Public Health Commission, has served for years as a lifeline for many in the community, starting out as a small room in a municipal building basement in Hyde Park.
About Greater Boston Labor Council:
The GBLC represents more than 100,000 union members and their families in 24 cities and towns, and recognizes that workers and the communities they live in have been struggling to deal with the COVID-19 crisis since it began. Visit https://gblc.us/ to learn more.