Gabriella Snyder
Bread of Life sponsors all 13 garden planters ...
Bread of Life sponsors all 13 garden planters with support from mayor, city council

Bread of Life sponsors all 13 garden planters with support from mayor, city council

August 7, 2025

Malden Advocate

By Tara Vocino

Bread of Life, a food pantry distribution, has now sponsored all 13 garden beds, as of Friday morning. “I love the beautiful planters,” said Mayor Gary Christenson, who purchased the last garden bed on Friday morning to sponsor alongside the city council.

Christenson thanked Bread of Life (BOL) for making the garden planters happen. “We are grateful that the Bread of Life not only built a great facility for our community but also beautified the grounds in and around this space,” Christenson said. “Any way that we can support the Bread of Life we should do so.”

Christenson said it enhances the already beautiful building — enacted August 11, 2024.

The city garners Community Development Block Grant, Home, American Rescue Plan Act and Community Preservation Committee grant funding to support the soup kitchen, funding 27 percent of the overall project cost, or approximately $3.5 million.

Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley said Bread of Life should be applauded as the first property owner to place the primary entrance to its building on the Northern Strand Community Trail. “Just like the trail, the Bread of Life is a central connecting force in our community,” O’Malley said. “The organization doesn’t just provide meals to our community — it nourishes our hearts and souls.

“Bread of Life recognizes the dignity in those it serves and helps us achieve our greatest potential. The beautiful gardens along the trail are just a small example of that powerful visionary force.”

Ward 6 Councillor Stephen Winslow said Bread of Life’s mission to feed the body and souls of those most in need in and around Malden has drawn together a network of community partners that support that key work addressing food insecurity. “Their dual mission acknowledges the reality that people have a hard time making their lives better if their main concern is where the next meal will be coming from,” Winslow said. “My initial personal collaboration began by helping with holiday food and meal drives and through Bike to the Sea’s vegetable and food drives like the recently started ‘Cranksgiving.’”

Winslow added that once the Northern Strand Community Trail opened, Bread of Life immediately saw the potential of the trail to be a more welcoming way for people to access its services and then ensured the trailside of their new facility would become more welcoming by planning a patio and planting space. “I really want to thank BOL and all the planter bed sponsors for putting in and caring for the wonderful trailside greenery,” Winslow said. “What once often had been a forgotten, littered space along a parking lot now stands out as a beautiful spot for residents and the public.”

Salem Five Malden Branch Manager Robert Green was the founding planting organization last September. The team from 90 Highland Ave. was part of the approval process. The bank is involved in their fundraising events and is one of the sponsors of the annual fall walk at Pine Banks Park. “What Bread of Life does for the community is critically important,” Green said. “Therefore, Salem 5 wanted to be able to contribute to their success.”

He added that no one should feel that food should be a scarcity item for them, especially families and children. Bread of Life provides the resources and comfort level to obtain that. “Food insecurity should never be a part of anyone’s vocabulary,” Green said.

Eagle Bank Community Reinvestment Officer Christopher DiBenedetto, who works at 350 Broadway in Everett, sponsored a garden planter in June. “This is a phenomenal organization,” he said. “Any way that we can be ‘the winds beneath the wings’ — Bread of Life have a backpack drive for the students of Everett in August, and the mobile food market is weekly at Lafayette Elementary School.”

DiBenedetto said one can’t sustain a neighborhood or community without food. “Food is the Bread of Life,” DiBenedetto said. “Food is the building block to make the body stronger — it’s the stabilization of the house.”

East Cambridge Savings Bank Assistant Vice President Fiona Nattabi said East Cambridge Savings Bank is a local bank that has been serving communities for over 170 years

“Serving and supporting local communities and organizations like Bread of Life is at the heart of what we do,” Nattabi said. “We are honored to support the great work that Bread of Life does for the greater Malden community to address the issue of food insecurity.”

The colorful display at the Bread of Life planters is a great way for the community to not only enjoy the flowers as they use the trail, but also to raise awareness of this great organization. Everyone at ECSB appreciates the great work that Bread of Life does each day, and they look forward to the continued partnership.

Malden resident Janis Moriarty sponsored a garden bed last August in honor of her cousin, Kathleen McKenna — a board member since 1992. “I thought what a perfect opportunity to honor her and do something nice to support the Bread of Life,” Moriarty said. “She has gardens at home and volunteers pretty much all of her time here.”

Moriarty said people often take food for granted. “I have tried to expose my son, Brendan, 18, to volunteer opportunities to help those less fortunate in the community, which could start at any age, to create a life-long awareness,” Moriarty said. “Volunteering here opens your eyes to the needs.”

Bread of Life Development Director Patty Kelly said people may be able to sponsor pavers between the garden beds. “My favorite part of the new building is the garden beds, because it’s a community effort,” Kelly said. “Volunteers from the Bridge Recovery Center maintain and water them, brightening the bicycle path for hundreds of people who walk and ride … making it a great first impression.”

Kelly said Bread of Life is grateful to have the beds all sponsored since the building opened last August.

Garrick-Santo Landscape Co. built the planters. “They come by and add mulch,” Kelly said. “Robert Santo and his team Garrick-Santo take a lot in pride in what they do.”

Signs were printed by David Gardner, of Boyd’s Direct, a longtime friend of Bread of Life. Sponsors include Freedom Hill Community Church, Janis Moriarty, Frank and Patty Kelly, Edwin and Marilyn Andrews, Salem Five Bank, Dennis Donnelly, 2024 Bread of Life Board of Directors, East Cambridge Savings Bank, Columbia Construction, Janet Green and Thomas Hutchinson, Eagle Bank, Edwin and Marilyn Andrews (two planters) and Mayor Gary Christenson and the Malden City Council.

Bread of Life Expands All Under One New Roof

Tara Vocino for the Malden Advocate

Bread of Life will soon have everything under one roof in their new three-story building, located at 54 Eastern Ave., Malden, allowing for the expansion of their services with approximately 20,000 square feet. They will be moving out of the existing building at 109 Madison St.

Taking Bread of Life to this next step, financial help came in the form of money from charitable organizations, private donors, families, businesses, trusts and grant money. MassDevelopment issued a $1,660,000 tax-exempt bond. Eastern Bank purchased the bond, which helped Bread of Life achieve a lower cost of capital.

“Our new facility will let us provide more food for more people and launch new programs,” Bread of Life Executive Director Gabriella Snyder Stelmack said. “The project will bring all BOL programs under one roof — food pantries, evening meals program, school nutrition backpack program in Everett, motel shelter food provision, grocery delivery and food access — along with our offices and a multi-purpose hall for expanded programs.”

Stelmack said that as part of the Under One Roof campaign the project provides 14 affordable studio apartments owned and operated by Metro North Housing Corporation to provide permanent housing for very low-income formerly homeless individuals. The upgraded building is slated to open this spring at 54 Eastern Ave., across from Cataldo Ambulance, parallel to the bicycle path.

“Hunger will always be an issue,” Bread of Life Development Director Patty Kelly said. “We served approximately 1 million meals in 2023.”

That large demands mean hundreds of volunteers are needed in 2024, especially delivering groceries between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays/Thursdays, and on Tuesdays from 1 to 5 p.m. A car that can fit 10 to 15 boxes of food plus a buddy is preferred, according to Volunteer Coordinator Eileen Mullen. To volunteer, email Eileen.Mullen@BreadOfLifeMalden.org. Some volunteers also receive food.

“We need lots of volunteers daily, but especially on Tuesdays, we need about 15 people to pack groceries, and on Wednesdays for food distribution from noon to 5 p.m.,” Mullen said. “We also have a Lafayette School mobile market in Everett on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m.”

Mullen said a bond forms when volunteers come together with the same mission.

Mayor Gary Christenson said food insecurity remains one of the top issues that Malden faces as a city. “This new building will help the Bread of Life further the great job they have done responding to this challenge,” Christenson said. “It will also support the ability for more volunteer opportunities, which are a good way to get involved and make a difference.”

Meals are also provided Tuesdays to Fridays at First Baptist Church on Main Street.

Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese translators are also needed.

Kelly said April’s ribbon cutting will welcome people into the building, and volunteers will be on-site to tour the new space and second level apartments.

With the transformed space comes a shift in the way that production is done. “Instead of being handed bags of food, clients will soon be able to walk the space to choose what food they want,” Mullen said. “We’ll give out approximately 30 pounds of food.”

That volume of food also means that donations are greatly needed. To donate, personal checks are accepted, or visit @BreadOfLifeMalden on Venmo or visit BreadOfLifeMalden.org. For a substantial donation, there are naming opportunities available.

“Office spaces, and landscaping can be named in honor of someone for a significant contribution,” Kelly said. “For instance, the kitchen will be named Encore Boston Harbor Kitchen for their generous donation."

The pantry does fundraisers, including their signature walk on Oct. 6 at Pine Banks Park. Late Executive Director Tom Feagley’s oil pastel paintings will be available for sale. A comedy night at Prince Pizzeria in Saugus is annually in the fall.

Their motto is “Food for the body… Nurture for the soul.”

Shown from left to right: Marie Ai; Martine Orneas; Calvin Walker; Marcia Manong; Karen Lynch; Anson Kwong; Danielle Velasquez; Jeff Adams; Melissa Yee (kneeling, left of banner); Butch Parry; Ann Carriere; Gabriella Snyder Stelmack; Patty Kelly; Annamaria Georgopoulos; Cathy; Eileen Mullen; Bernadette Mutebi (kneeling, right of banner); Judy Duggan; Perry; Chris Chitouras; Terry Caton and Kathy McKenna. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino)

Annamaria Georgopoulos (at right) and Terry Caton at Monday’s Bread of Life Holiday Party

BOL Volunteer Coordinator Eileen Mullen (at left) and Development Director Patty Kelly are shown at the Post-Holiday Party to ring in the New Year for volunteers and staff at Bread of Life on Monday.

Shown at the table from left to right: Seated: Calvin Walker, Jeff Adams, Danielle Velasquez and Lyndia Osborne, Shown standing, same order: Ann Carriere and Bread of Life Executive Director Gabriella Snyder Stelmack.

Bread of Life and Metro North Housing Corp celebrate active construction of food pantry and affordable housing

Mayor Gary Christenson, along with Council President Craig Spadafora and members of Metro North Housing are shown signing the beam for the new home for Bread of Life.

https://advocatenews.net/malden/news/bread-of-life-and-metro-north-housing-corp-celebrate-active-construction-of-food-pantry-and-affordable-housing/

June 2, 2023 Malden Advocate

Elected officials, nonprofit and business leaders and community members came together to celebrate the construction in progress at 54 Eastern Ave. in Malden. The new facility will be the home of Bread of Life’s food pantry and food security programs, alongside 14 permanent affordable housing units owned by Metro North Housing Corp. These affordable rental units will house formerly homeless individuals, offering them a stable and secure place to call home. The building remains on schedule for occupancy in early 2024.

“This project was a long time coming and required the dedication and commitment of many different people,” said Malden Mayor Gary Christenson. “I want to congratulate Bread of Life, Metro North Housing, and all of their supporters, volunteers, and funders on this momentous accomplishment. The new food pantry and deeply affordable housing units will transform the lives of the people they serve and will help fight hunger and homelessness in our community for generations.”

Support from the City of Malden was crucial to the project’s success, with nearly 30% of the project’s $12 million budget coming from various City funds. The City also played a significant role in helping close an inflation-driven budget gap that threatened to stop the project entirely.

People looking for the highest return on their investment don’t build food pantries and deeply affordable housing, which is why it required all of us to get this project over the finish line,” said Deputy Director for Housing and Community Development Alex Pratt of the Malden Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development. “This project faced countless hurdles, but our community stakeholders and funders came together to make it happen. The result is a once in a lifetime opportunity that helps support the most vulnerable members of our community.”

The beam-signing event, which was officiated by Bread of Life Executive Director Gabriella Snyder Stelmack and Metro North Housing Corp President Laura Spark, featured heartfelt messages from public officials, including Mayor Christenson, U.S. Senator Edward Markey’s Regional Director, Liam Horsman, and U.S. Congresswoman Katherine Clark’s District Director, Kelsey Perkins. Project funders also spoke, including Eastern Bank Senior VP for Community Development Lending Lisa Sheehan, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston Senior Community Investment Manager Tobi Goldberg, Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation Supportive Housing Director Sarah McKeever and Mass. Department of Housing and Community Development Supportive Housing and Special Projects Manager Bronia Clifton.

The event also honored three men who were instrumental in bringing this project to fruition: Tom Feagley, the first director of Bread of Life – for over 30 years – who died earlier this month; Philip Bronder-Giroux, former director of Tri-City Community Action Program; and Marc Slotnick, affordable housing activist and developer, who died in 2018 while still working on this project. The joint project was Tom and Philip’s vision starting almost 20 years ago. They spent years building and organizing a community of people based in Malden who care about, support and fight for their neighbors, working to make Malden a diverse, supportive and welcoming city where people of all income levels and life experiences have a home, and where, as Bread of Life has long said, both body and spirit are nurtured. Marc Slotnick stepped in as the project developer when the original developer was unable to continue, making a way to save this project and two other affordable housing properties now owned by Metro North Housing Corp.

After the ceremony, all were invited to sign one of the beams that will become part of the building.

Malden Building Combats Housing, Food Insecurity

https://www.massdevelopment.com/news/malden-building-combats-housing-food-insecurity/

March 2, 2023 Matthew Mogavero, 857-248-0868
mmogavero@massdevelopment.com

MALDEN, Mass. – MassDevelopment has issued a $1,660,000 tax-exempt bond on behalf of Bread of Life 54 Eastern, LLC, an affiliate of Bread of Life (BOL), which is using proceeds to build a three-story, approximately 20,000-square-foot building at 54 Eastern Ave. in Malden. The project is a joint development with Metro North Housing Corporation. Bread of Life will occupy the first two floors of the building, which will feature a commercial kitchen, dining hall, food pantry, warehouse, and office space, and Metro North Housing Corporation will operate 14 low-income housing units on the third floor. Proceeds also supported costs associated with demolishing Bread of Life’s former building on the property, which was cleared in September 2022. Construction of the new building began in November 2022 and is expected to be complete in January 2024. Eastern Bank purchased the bond, which helped Bread of Life achieve a lower cost of capital.

“This community-based, collaborative effort has all the ingredients to make a significant difference for area residents by adding 14 affordable housing units in downtown Malden and ensuring a new, welcoming space for Bread of Life to provide food assistance,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera.

“It is a pleasure to work with MassDevelopment to provide a new space for Bread of Life’s food pantry and dining hall to enhance how food insecurity services are offered in the community,” said Eastern Bank Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager of Community Development Lending Lisa Sheehan. “In addition, we are pleased to be working with Metro North Housing Corporation by adding 14 new affordable studio apartment units in downtown Malden. We are proud to be a part of this project and grateful for the work of our community partners.”

“I am so proud that this project is coming to fruition thanks to the years of hard work, perseverance and dedication of the members of the Bread of Life and Metro North Housing teams,” said Malden Mayor Gary Christenson. “The City was pleased to provide $3.26 million in financial assistance to this mixed-use development through various funding sources including HOME Program Partnership funds, Malden American Recovery Act funds, federal Community Development Block Grant monies and funds from the Community Preservation Act. This project with its deed restricted affordable housing units and its food pantry will go a long way in addressing housing stability and food insecurity issues in our City. I look forward to opening day.”

Founded in 1980 and incorporated in 1992, Bread of Life is a nonprofit organization that provides community meals and other food assistance to residents north of Boston. BOL brings together over 500 volunteers from 40 partner organizations that include congregations from the faith community, businesses, civic organizations, schools, government and social service agencies from Malden, Everett, Medford, Melrose, Wakefield, Reading, and Peabody to offer free food to hungry, homeless, and isolated people. BOL distributes the equivalent of one million free meals per year. Services provided include evening meals held four nights a week in Malden, food pantries in Malden and Everett, grocery delivery to senior citizens in public housing in Malden, Everett, Melrose and Medford, and food delivery to at-risk teens and homeless families sheltered in local motels.

"We are most thankful for the support of MassDevelopment and Eastern Bank,” said Bread of Life Executive Director Gabriella Snyder Stelmack. “These funds to build our new facility will enable Bread of Life to provide nourishing food to more families as the need to alleviate food insecurity continues to grow. With the valued partnerships of MassDevelopment and Eastern Bank, Bread of Life’s programs will now be Under One Roof, ensuring more families have access to a warm and inviting food pantry, a modern and updated dining space, and a spacious building to operate our Grocery Delivery Program, Back Pack Nutrition Program, and Mobile Market. Thank you MassDevelopment and Eastern Bank, for your dedication to Bread of Life and for your long-term commitment to our project."

MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2022, MassDevelopment financed or managed 356 projects generating investment of more than $1.69 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 11,080 jobs and build or preserve 1,778 housing units.


Learning a few life lessons at Melrose High

https://localheadlinenews.com/melrose-weekly-news/

March 13, 2023 Melrose Weekly, by Gail Lowe

MALDEN—Construction of Bread of Life’s new facility at 54 Eastern Ave., Malden has begun, and a topping off ceremony is anticipated to take place in late spring this year.

The project, which comes at a time when food prices have risen to dizzying heights, began in April 2022 when students from Melrose High School, under the direction of CAD teacher Elizabeth “Betsy” Giovanardi, contacted Bread of Life to inquire about collaborating on a civics project for their architecture class.

“The students were interested in issues faced by homeless and low income families,” said Patty Kelly, development director for Bread of Life.

“They were learning about designing a food pantry, kitchen and community center that would be a welcoming place for families to gather,” Kelly added.

She and Bread of Life Executive Director Gabriella “Gaby” Snyder Stelmack met with the students and Giovanardi to learn about their project,” Kelly noted. “We knew this would be a great partnership.”

Bread of Life serves residents from 13 communities, including Melrose families, and Kelly believes it is a wonderful way to highlight the organization’s work in the Melrose area and to raise awareness about the work being done by students who care about their community and want to learn more about making a positive impact.

Since their initial meeting, Kelly and her colleagues have met with Bread of Life staff; Bread of Life’s project partner, Metro North Housing Corp.; Melrose High School students and Giovanardi, along with Paul Martell, architect from Resolution Architects.

 

THIS IMAGE is from the 3D model created in Revit by Melrose High School students. It was used by Bread of Life to help with their choice of colors for the exterior of the new building in Malden. The view of the model is from the community trail side of the building. (Courtesy photo)

“We will continue to meet and share ideas as the project moves forward,” Kelly said, adding that Bread of Life has solid support from the Melrose community, including residents, faith groups and businesses that host food drives for Bread of Life.

“Many Melrose families volunteer in the organization’s programs to help at our food pantry, evening meal service and other programs,” Kelly commented.

Bread of Life’s development director said she and her colleagues are grateful for all contributions, as each one enables them to do their work.

“This project is a great way to highlight the students’ enthusiasm for an interesting learning assignment,” said Kelly, “We are thrilled that they reached out, and we’re honored to collaborate on this exciting project.”

Outside materials and colors for the new building are currently under discussion. “The students have a great computer program that provides a mock-up of colors and materials,” said Kelly. “We are leaning toward earthy, warm colors that will be inviting for our families. It’s been great to see images of what the new building could look like—we appreciate the students’ help with technology and assistance in seeing our vision come to life.”

Bread of Life has owned the property since 2014, according to Kelly. Demolition crews have been on scene since September 2022.

About 54 Eastern Ave.

54 Eastern Ave. is centrally located and is easily accessible by public transportation and along the Northern Strand Community Bike Trail, said Kelly.

“Bread of Life’s Under One Roof building project will create a game-changing physical asset that will permanently enhance the organization’s services: the construction of a new, all-inclusive home for Bread of Life at 54 Eastern. Ave. in Malden that will bring our kitchen, food pantries, multi-service dining hall and offices under one roof,” she said.

 

Benefits of the project

  • Expand Bread of Life’s capacity through this 20,000 sq. ft. facility to grow programs, providing more people with more food, through well-designed, efficient space and control over its use. The new facility will include a dining/multi-service hall; commercial-grade kitchen; increased space for food storage; capacity to provide full pantry choice for patrons of the food pantry; increased refrigerator/freezer capacity; increased staffing and programming space.

  • Increase efficiency, improve and increase services by centralizing all Bread of Life programs and administration.
    • Eliminate administrative, financial and program instability created by fluctuating rent and service locations that have caused frequent displacement of our programs and use of spaces poorly suited to the organization’s needs.
    • Expand programming capacity through a multi-use community space for community meetings, cultural events, classes, workforce development and more. Bread of Life has provided opportunities for the community to participate in free English classes and to obtain services such as COVID and flu shots, dental hygiene awareness and financial literacy though collaboration with local providers. The new facility will enable Bread of Life to expand these services.
    • Help brand Bread of Life by creating a central, recognizable facility.
    • Provide an accessible location for all programs. Guests, staff and volunteers (many of whom are elderly) suffer from having inaccessible or partially accessible spaces.

  • Expand impact on individuals in poverty by constructing 14 permanent studio apartments to be owned by Metro North Housing Corp. (MNHC), a non-profit corporation, to house 14 low-income formerly homeless individuals.

  • Provide services for the tenants, including access to the meals program, food pantry and all educational, cultural and community activities provided in the multi-service hall.

  • Transform the existing commercial, utilitarian, blacktopped area of the site, which for years abutted the railroad tracks (now the Northern Strand Community Trail), into green space for use by the public as well as tenants and patrons of the food and multi-service programs. A pocket park at the Eastern Ave. entrance to the site will be used for passive recreational purposes and provide an accessible public walkway from Eastern Avenue to the Trail through the site.

Malden-based Bread of Life hosts Backpack Nutrition Program and weekly food distribution for Everett families

February 17, 2023

Everett Advocate

By Tara Vocino

Bread of Life, which is headquartered in Malden, runs a Backpack Nutrition Program and a weekly mobile market/food distribution for Everett families.

  “Each month we supply a backpack filled with nutritious snacks and food for Everett students,” Bread of Life Development Director Patty Kelly said. “This effort is in collaboration with Everett school officials.”

  To date, nearly 7,000 backpacks have been distributed to Everett students, and the need is growing.

  In addition to the Backpack Nutrition Program, Bread of Life also runs a mobile market/food distribution for Everett residents each Thursday, operating out of the Lafayette School. More than 100 families per week receive groceries and other items from Bread of Life’s Mobile Market. This program continues to grow to serve more families.

  According to Bread of Life Executive Director Gabriella Snyder Stelmack, the Everett Backpack Nutrition Program provides 240 backpacks of food per month to students of the Lafayette, Whittier and Parlin Schools, as well as the high-needs students group. The bags are distributed by school principals and staff, who identify each month the students who are most in need of food assistance.

  A teacher in the Everett Public Schools English Learner Department said about the backpack program: “Kids will never tell you that they need food or they’re hungry. They’re too ashamed. The backpacks are a great solution. They can say, ‘Can I have a snack bag? I love those chips.’ But they can actually make meals from the contents. It has cereal, milk, raisins, juice, crackers, tuna, peanut butter, fruit cup, Chef Boy-Ar-Dee, Cup of Soup. One 12-year-old student confided to the teacher that she couldn’t get supper at home regularly because her mom worked late. The backpacks supplied her supper.”

  Research has shown that poor nutrition is linked to increased illness and impairs concentration, learning and school performance of children. Each backpack that they distribute contains items such as: small cartons of milk and juice, single-serving boxes of cereal, raisins, granola bars, pretzels or chips, applesauce or fruit cups, cans of ravioli, cup of soup, peanut butter, crackers, tuna-to-go pouches, bottled water, hot cocoa mix, candy, nuts, microwave popcorn, plastic cutlery. Non-food items they provide for the school staff to distribute at their discretion include such things as new blankets, gloves, hats, socks, hand warmers, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, mouthwash, bar soap, deodorant, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, body powder, pencils, notebooks, laundry detergent, bath towels and washcloths. Since this program began in November 2019, it has distributed more than 8,000 backpacks. The program has received funding in the past from The Foundation Trust in Melrose and the Everett Citizens Foundation. Everett CDBG funds will enable them to continue to provide this nutrition for low- and moderate-income students.

  Some additional info:

  • Each backpack weighs 6.5 pounds

  • Food donations always needed and appreciated

  • String backpacks always needed (34x 43 cm/13.39 x 16.93 inches)

  • Monetary donations always appreciated

  • The program currently serves Everett students. Bread of Life is hoping to expand to Malden, pending need and funding.

  Bread of Life Backpack Coordinator Brandon King said they deliver backpacks to schools, and school officials distribute backpacks, as they feel necessary. He added that healthy nutrition is imperative to school performance.“No child should have to worry about food or where their next meal is coming from,” King said. “One of the main keys to learning is being well nourished.”

  Back in 2019 when he was the coordinator for Bread of Life’s Everett pantry, Teri O’Brien was doing community outreach at the high school, and the principal explained that there were around 100 students there that were couch surfing, living out of cars or homeless and were struggling with food insecurity. “We wanted to distribute food to these kids, and our top priority was to do it in a way that helped maintain their dignity,” King said. “We ultimately decided on backpacks, as it is a convenient and discreet way for the kids to take the food with them.”

  Although O’Brien passed away, the program continues in her honor.

Malden volunteers team up to provide free Thanksgiving meals


https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/boston/news/malden-volunteers-teaming-up-to-provide-free-meals-on-thanksgiving/#app

BY KATRINA KINCADE UPDATED ON: NOVEMBER 24, 2022 / 12:49 PM / CBS BOSTON

MALDEN – Volunteers in Malden gave thanks by giving back to the community and making sure everyone had a delicious meal on Thanksgiving.

Bread of Life volunteers held a Thanksgiving Day event at Malden High School Thursday with a mission to make sure that no one spent the holiday alone. Anyone in need on Thanksgiving could come to the school for a free community meal.

Volunteers spent much of Wednesday night carving turkeys and preparing side dishes while others dropped off donated items.

The city also coordinated for 1,000 meals to be delivered to seniors and people with disabilities.

"When you come from little to nothing, simple actions matter and it's our time to give back. And I believe that. I'm really inspired for it. Teachers and parents show us to be a better person and so might as well put it into action," volunteer Julia Gamitto said.

The sit down meal was held from 12 to 2 p.m., while to-go meals will be available after 1:30 p.m.

"It's awesome that so many people are here helping to make sure so many people get fed," volunteer Amanda Dugan said.

Gabriella Snyder Stelmack, executive director for Bread of Life, said for many people, having a sense of community is critical.

"Isolation is huge it's actually a huge health risk. We need each other. Who knows why, but we need to talk with people to have someone hear us," Stelmack said. "That's what's great about today is that everybody pitches in, it's a great day. You meet the best people in the community that want to give back, want to volunteer."

Malden Mayor Gary Christenson said he is thankful for the generous volunteer organizations in town.

"We're just following the lead of great organizations like Bread of Life and Mystic Valley Services. So when they called, we answered and we're just so grateful to have them in our city," Christenson said. 

The city also coordinated for 1,000 meals to be delivered to seniors and people with disabilities.

"When you come from little to nothing, simple actions matter and it's our time to give back. And I believe that. I'm really inspired for it. Teachers and parents show us to be a better person and so might as well put it into action," volunteer Julia Gamitto said.

The sit down meal was held from 12 to 2 p.m., while to-go meals will be available after 1:30 p.m.

"It's awesome that so many people are here helping to make sure so many people get fed," volunteer Amanda Dugan said.

Gabriella Snyder Stelmack, executive director for Bread of Life, said for many people, having a sense of community is critical.

"Isolation is huge it's actually a huge health risk. We need each other. Who knows why, but we need to talk with people to have someone hear us," Stelmack said. "That's what's great about today is that everybody pitches in, it's a great day. You meet the best people in the community that want to give back, want to volunteer."

Malden Mayor Gary Christenson said he is thankful for the generous volunteer organizations in town.

"We're just following the lead of great organizations like Bread of Life and Mystic Valley Services. So when they called, we answered and we're just so grateful to have them in our city," Christenson said. 

Bread of Life Walk honors memory of food pantry volunteer Terri O’Brien, of Everett, while fighting food insecurity

https://advocatenews.net/everett/news/bread-of-life-walk-honors-memory-of-food-pantry-volunteer-terri-obrien-of-everett-while-fighting-food-insecurity/

Oct 7, 2022 MELROSE – Approximately 125 walkers supported the Bread of Life Walk, despite rain, at Pine Banks Park on Saturday. Among others, the Foundation Trust and Dunkin’ (1539 Broadway, Saugus) cosponsored the event. This year’s event was held in memory of Terri O’Brien, an Everett resident and longtime Bread of Life volunteer, who worked in the Everett food pantry and mobile market and was instrumental in developing their Backpack Nutrition Program for Everett Public School students. The funds raised were used directly for programs helping them feed neighbors in need in Everett, Malden and 11 surrounding communities.

Bread of Life Breaks Ground on New Malden Facility

https://patch.com/massachusetts/malden/bread-life-breaks-ground-new-malden-facility?fbclid=IwAR2XMvAYAiYkxaDu-2rpriEvbvZoeRvdOaLfwsCYNb8gNiH_5fvFeAHPXtY

Patch, Sept 16, 2022, by Dakota Antelman

MALDEN, MA — Demolition crews began tearing into a building on Eastern Avenue in Malden this week as the organization Bread of Life begins work to build a new, expanded headquarters facility.

Bread of Life is a regional nonprofit organization primarily focused on fighting food insecurity through over a dozen communities north of Boston.

Its current operations are split between an office facility on Commercial Street and a food pantry and warehouse on Madison Street.

Dubbed the “Under One Roof” project, new building plans call for a building with 70% more space for Bread of Life. The facility will allow Bread of Life to combine operations, while expanding overall offerings.

The building will also include 14 [sic 12] permanent studio apartments to house “very low-income homeless individuals,” as noted in a recent Bread of Life newsletter.

Bread of Life is drawing on a mix of state and municipal grant funding in addition to a loan from Eastern Bank and proceeds from a capital campaign, according to its project summary.

The project kicked off with work to remove hazardous materials before demolition this week. Demolition is now expected to wrap before the end of the month, allowing crews to begin foundation work.

Bread of Life projected that the project will take roughly 14 months to complete, putting it on track for an opening date next fall.

“A long time coming but worth the wait!” Malden Mayor Gary Christenson wrote in a Tweet about the demolition this week.

“It's happening!” Bread of Life wrote in a separate message on Facebook.

Bread of Life’s capital campaign to support the Under One Roof facility is ongoing. Learn more and see renderings of the planned finished building here.