About Us
Bread of Life is a nonprofit, nondenominational, faith-based food security organization based in Malden, MA that provides over 1.5 million pounds of free food a year for economically struggling and disadvantaged families, individuals, youth and senior citizens in the North metro Boston area. Founded in 1980 and incorporated as a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization in 1992, Bread of Life brings together hundreds of volunteers and dozens of partner organizations that include people from the faith community, businesses, civic organizations, schools, government and social service agencies to distribute food through our programs. Bread of Life's primary services are: food pantries and mobile market; prepared and congregate meals; grocery delivery to mobility-impaired senior citizens and disabled residents; nutrition backpack distribution to at-risk Everett public school youth; food delivery to homeless individuals and families in shelter; and Food Access project to overcome barriers to accessing nutritious food encountered by lower-income communities with respect to race, ethnicity, language, culture, age, gender and other factors. BOL serves residents of Malden, Everett, Medford, Melrose, Saugus, Stoneham, Reading, North Reading, Winchester, Wakefield, Revere, Chelsea and Winthrop. BOL is a Strategic Partner, in the top 10% of food purchasers and distributors in the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) network of agencies.
Our Mission
Bread of Life’s mission is to feed the body and to nurture the soul. We strive to feed the hungry, the homeless, the needy and the isolated; to offer spiritual nurture, support and hospitality; to promote greater peace and justice by addressing broader issues of hunger, poverty, and need; and to conduct our work in a spirit of respect and nonviolence.
Core Values
● Provide food that is nutritious, high-quality, and desired by our consumers
● Maintain physical space that is clean, safe and attractive
● Treat with respect and dignity every person that comes through our doors, including pantry members, meal guests, volunteers, donors, visitors and staff
● Build community by incorporating individuals and groups that represent the diversity of our cities as volunteers, partner organizations, board members and staff
● Value volunteers and staff as collaborators in achieving our mission through training, nurture, support and promotion
● Grow, adapt and innovate as an organization in response to changing community needs
● Ground our work in our faith-based mission to “feed the body and nurture the soul”
Non-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy
Bread of Life does not discriminate with regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual preference, gender preference, age, disability, or veteran’s status, and complies with all requirements of law and regulations with respect to employment, volunteer participation and the provision of services.
Bread of Life is committed to building an inclusive and equitable organizational culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees, volunteers and those we serve. This fuels our innovation and responsiveness to community needs, and connects us more closely to diverse communities within the cities we serve.
“Bread of Life serves as a role model in communities north of Boston...always ready to lend support.”