On June 12, The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), the largest hunger-relief organization in New England, honored the individuals and organizations that demonstrated extraordinary leadership in supporting GBFB’s hunger-relief efforts throughout 2024 at its new GBFB Awards event, held at GBFB’s Yawkey Distribution Center in Boston. Awardees represent those who partnered with GBFB to advance its mission to end hunger here through food donations, volunteerism, advocacy, philanthropic support, and agency partnerships, empowering the 1 in 3 Massachusetts residents facing food insecurity in Eastern Massachusetts to access nutritious meals.

As a part of this year’s celebration, GBFB honored Paul Weber with the Volunteer of the Year Award, which recognizes an individual or company that has made a significant impact on the Food Bank through dedicated and loyal volunteering. A retired math teacher and Natick resident, Paul has been volunteering since 2018 and has contributed over 430 hours of service.

Known for his positivity, flexibility, and strong sense of teamwork, Paul is a trusted member of GBFB’s volunteer community. He frequently helps train new volunteers and readily adapts to new tasks.

“It was totally unexpected that I received recognition for doing something that I think everyone should be doing,” said Waber. “I believe that it is important to give back to the community and I can’t think of a better way than to help provide food for those in need by volunteering at GBFB. I want to thank the staff at GBFB for this honor, and I won’t rest on my laurels.”

Formerly known as the Partner Appreciation Awards, the event marked the evolution of a two-decade tradition that started in 2003, which now reflects the broader, cross-sector efforts fueling hunger relief across Eastern Massachusetts. The event spotlighted six individuals and organizations selected from GBFB’s network of food distribution partners, volunteers, public officials, donors and advocates who have shown dedication to mitigating the food insecurity crisis and providing wide-ranging contributions to support hunger relief efforts in Eastern Massachusetts.

“Every person and organization we honored this year has made a lasting impact on our collective duty to empower everyone with access to healthy food,” said GBFB President and CEO Catherine D’Amato. “In a time when millions of our neighbors are finding it harder than ever to make ends meet, these outstanding partners remind us that hunger-relief can take many forms. Whether through advocacy, volunteerism, or strategic support, these champions step up to meet the moment with action and compassion.”

GBFB also celebrated the Framingham-based United Way of Tri-County (UWTC), the recipient of last year’s GBFB Transformational Community Investment Grant. Over three years, GBFB has committed $500,000 to fund capacity-building enhancements that will increase UWTC’s ability to serve more clients, distribute more food, and assist communities in need by launching a mobile food pantry, purchasing vehicles for food distribution, and acquire additional equipment and supplies for its food pantry and hot meals programs.

The celebration also spotlighted the 2024 Change Maker Award honorees (previously announced in November 2024), Wellesley Girl Scout Troup 64049, who graciously donated their cookie sales profits to GBFB, as well as the 2024 GBFB Team Members of the Quarter for their dedication to driving GBFB’s mission of hunger relief forward.

The evening event was concluded by GBFB unveiling its new Wall of Fame, recognizing over 40 of GBFB’s top corporate philanthropic donors by displaying their logos on the wall of the Yawkey Distribution Center’s main gathering place, where the event was held.

Food insecurity remains an enduring and widespread challenge in Massachusetts. The latest installment of GBFB’s annual study on food insecurity and access in Massachusetts, set to be released in full on June 17, estimates that 1 in 3 adults in the Commonwealth continue to struggle with food insecurity and the total number of food-insecure individuals continues to steadily increase.

For a full list of GBFB Award winners, visit https://www.gbfb.org/news/press-releases/gbfb-celebrated-hunger-relief-champions-gbfb-awards/.

About The Greater Boston Food Bank: 

The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and one of the largest food banks in the country. For nearly half a century, GBFB has fueled Eastern Massachusetts’ hunger-relief system, putting nearly 90 million healthy meals on tables across the region each year. Over 600 community-based pantries and other local partners in 190 cities and towns depend on GBFB to provide access to healthy food for 600,000 people every month. GBFB is committed to the belief that access to healthy food is a human right regardless of an individual’s circumstances. Through policy, partnerships, and providing free, nutritious, and culturally responsive food, GBFB is committed to addressing the root causes of food insecurity while promoting racial, gender and economic equity in food access. Together, we have the power to end hunger here. For more information and to help us help others, visit us at GBFB.org, follow us on Facebook, Twitter(@gr8bosfoodbank) and Instagram, or call us at 617.427.5200.