Key Partners Across the Community Help Amplify Catholic Charities Impact

Between responding to the unforeseen statewide housing crisis and seeking to combat the record-high levels of food insecurity this year, the Agency is incredibly grateful to the following volunteers, donors, and organizations who have modeled teamwork and worked tirelessly alongside our staff, every day, to guide those most in need toward self-sufficiency. 

Uniting for Impact with United Way 

Catholic Charities Boston is honored to have been named a recipient of United Way of Massachusetts Bay generous grant funding to ensure people across Eastern Massachusetts have access to the basic yet critical resources needed to achieve self-sufficiency, from meals and a safe place to sleep to educational opportunities. In October, the Agency was named one of 124 organizations in United Way of Massachusetts Bay’s New Way Forward campaign. In November, the Agency was selected as the first organization to receive a SafetyNet Shelter grant, allowing the Agency to quickly open an emergency shelter for families who have an urgent and immediate need.  

“It is heartbreaking to see families living with uncertainty of where they will sleep at night – with the arrival of colder weather we are grateful for the Governor and her administration’s leadership and our partners at United Way in activating funds quickly to stand up this emergency shelter plan,” said Kelley Tuthill, President of Catholic Charities Boston. 

Furnishing Shelters and Providing Thanksgiving Turkeys with St. Vincent de Paul  

From donating turkeys for our annual Thanksgiving Meal Distribution, to taking the reins in collecting furniture and other necessities from the Greater Boston community, St. Vincent de Paul Society has not only been a critical partner to Catholic Charities Boston this year but has also been a model of compassion in our community, as mentioned by Cardinal Sean O’Malley in his letter urging parishes to support migrant families in need by donating to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. 

Lighting the Way with The Church of Latter-Day Saints  

For the first time ever, Catholic Charities Boston was a benefactor of The Church of Latter-Day Saints’ Light the World Giving Machines initiative, which includes vending machines that allow users to make critical donations to people in need, from utilities assistance to winter coats to newborn care items. Catholic Charities staff were thrilled to recently celebrate the grand opening of the machines at the CambridgeSide Galleria Mall, where they will be located until the end of December. Volunteers from the Church of Latter-Day Saints have also made their mark this year, assisting Catholic Charities Boston in distributing 4,000 meals to families in need before Thanksgiving.  

Rebuilding Lives with Rebuilding Together Boston  

Over the course of the past year, Rebuilding Together Boston dedicated hours of time and energy to repairing Catholic Charities’ shelters, most recently partnering with local organizations to spruce up the Agency’s new Catholic Charities Inn and the Nazareth Shelter, as well as organizing a backpack donation to children living in Catholic Charities’ shelters.  

“Our mission is repairing homes, revitalizing communities and rebuilding lives,” said Rebuilding Together Boston (RTB) Executive Director, Janice Walker. “But what we are really trying to do is make a tangible difference for these families. We want to help make them feel at home.” 

Creating Lifelong Memories with Boston College  

Longtime partners of Catholic Charities Boston, Boston College students, staff, and student-athletes have had a major impact on Catholic Charities’ clients this year. Not only did B.C. students collectively pack 3,000 meal bags on campus before the Agency’s annual Thanksgiving distribution, but many also volunteered consistently at the Agency’s food pantries throughout the year and at the Thanksgiving meal-packing event at the Yawkey Center the Friday before Thanksgiving.  

And thanks to the Woods College of Advancing Studies at B.C., one young resident living at the Catholic Charities Inn, who is being treated for an inoperable brain tumor, was able to enjoy free tickets with his family to a Boston College football game. Likewise, members of the Teen Center were invited to a recent B.C. Women’s Basketball game after the team volunteered at the Teen Center this summer. Catholic Charities is immensely grateful for all of the unique experiences the B.C. community has afforded its clients and for the college’s demonstrated dedication to helping those most in need. 

A Legacy of Service with the Yawkey Foundation  

A trusted partner to Catholic Charities Boston, the Yawkey Foundation demonstrates their commitment to the Agency through action. Maureen Bleday, Chief Executive Officer at the Yawkey Foundation, along with her two young grandsons, age 8 and under, are just a few of the dozens of volunteers who helped to pack meal distribution bags at the Yawkey Center pre-packing Thanksgiving Distribution event. 

“We as a foundation like to get involved and come out and personally help because it’s important to be close to the work and the people doing the work,” said Maureen. “We come to help, we come to be with the people that we support, and we come to keep the tradition going.”
 

Fighting Hunger with Greater Boston Food Bank  

In addition to once again donating hundreds of turkeys that were distributed at Catholic Charities Boston’s annual Thanksgiving Meal Distribution, the Greater Boston Food Bank donated a $40,000 Community Investment Grant to Catholic Charities Yawkey Food Pantry, allowing the Agency to purchase an outdoor freezer and pallet jack that will help the pantry to more efficiently serve nutritious food to the community.  

Part 5 of our Twelve Days of Giving Series, sharing heartwarming stories about people spreading joy and compassion within our community this holiday season.