Interfaith Social Services operates one of the largest emergency food programs in Greater Boston. Their food pantry, counseling center and other assistance programs have been serving South Shore residents since 1947. Interfaith’s 41st Annual South Shore Walk/5K on April 25th raised over $25,000 for their programs to assist South Shore families in need.
Each spring for the past four decades Pat Baird, age 87 of Weymouth, has taken to the streets to raise awareness that hunger exists on the South Shore. On Saturday April 25th Baird, along with hundreds of other walkers and runners, participated in Interfaith Social Services 41st Annual South Shore Walk and 5K Race.
Hosted by Quincy’s Kennedy Center the walk/5K took place in the city’s scenic Squantum neighborhood. “I’ve walked almost every year since this began,” says Baird. “I enjoy doing it for the simple reason of getting exercise and helping a lot people. I try to get as many sponsors as I can to donate because the work Interfaith does is so important to me.”
Paula Daniels of Norton and Christina Ferrera of Milton pose in a photo booth at Interfaith’s Social Services’ 41st Annual South Shore Walk and 5K Race. The event raised over $25,000 to help local families in need.
This year’s South Shore Walk and 5K brought in over $25,000 to support Interfaith Social Services’ various programs. Each year Interfaith assists thousands of local families and individuals who are struggling to obtain necessities like food, housing and mental health counseling. Interfaith operates one of the largest food pantries in Greater Boston serving the towns of: Braintree, Cohasset, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Milton, Quincy, Randolph, Scituate and Weymouth.
“It was a beautiful day,” said Interfaith’s executive director Rick Doane. “I’m not just talking about the amazing weather we experienced at the event on Saturday. I’m referring to the beautiful site of our community walking the streets to raise awareness for their neighbors in need. Parents pushing strollers, corporate groups walking side by side with church groups; those moments of true community collaboration are emotional.”
The Walk and 5K were only the beginning of festivities on April 25th. When participants returned to The Kennedy Center they enjoyed lunch donated by Stars on Hingham Harbor and 7 Eleven, frozen treats from New England Ice Cream and juice from Ocean Spray Cranberries. They enjoyed relaxing neck and shoulder massages provided by the Facilitated Healing Center as well as a wide selection of raffle prizes. Younger walkers and runners enjoyed a bouncy house provided by Busy Bee Jumpers, a kids’ craft table, face painting, balloon twisting, and air brush tattoos provided by Tribal Sun Entertainment.
Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan was this year’s Platinum Level Sponsor for the South Shore Walk and Race. BMC HealthNet’s generosity will help Interfaith feed even more families and prevent homelessness for more South Shore residents. Additional sponsors included: Cosgrove, Eisenberg and Kiley, P.C., The Fruit Center Marketplace, Good Fortune Supermarket, Makepeace Digital Imaging, Milton Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, New England Comics, South Shore Bank and Wood Commercial Painting & Wall Covering.