Volunteers Inducted Into Interfaith Social Services’ Hall of Fame

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Named 2022 Community Partner of the Year  

QUINCY, Mass. (August 8, 2022) – Seventeen South Shore residents were recently inducted into Interfaith Social Services’ Matti Lang Hall of Fame. The volunteers were honored at a Volunteer Appreciation Night at the Quincy Masonic Building on August 2. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts was also honored at the event for their exemplary commitment to volunteerism and named Interfaith’s Community Partner of the Year.

Interfaith Social Services operates one of Greater Boston’s largest emergency food pantries, a mental health counseling center, Thrift Shop and homelessness prevention program. Since 1947, Interfaith has been a safety net for thousands of children and families from the South Shore who are struggling to make ends meet.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of Interfaith’s programs, and the Hall of Fame recognizes those who have served at Interfaith regularly for at least one year. The Hall of Fame is named after one of Interfaith’s most dedicated volunteers, Matti Lang, who gave decades of his life selflessly serving Interfaith’s clients.

This year’s honorees include: Hingham resident Mary Kerrigan; Milton residents Connie Corcoran and Liz Tangusso; Pembroke resident Jill Rupple; Quincy residents Tricia Bertucci, Susan Bill, Bernadette Connolly, Therese Dolbec, Alan Howarth, Helen Irvin, Cathy Kennedy, Gene Lee, Heather Nolasco, Debbie Stadnicki and Jan Whalen; and Weymouth residents William Blackmer and Ann O’Brien.

In addition to the Hall of Fame induction, Interfaith also honored their 2022 Community Partner of the Year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. This award honors businesses or organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to volunteerism.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has been a loyal corporate partner of Interfaith since 2014. Blue Crew volunteers have donated more than 1,000 volunteer hours to Interfaith over the past eight years. In addition to sending monthly volunteer teams to Interfaith’s food pantry, Blue Cross has sponsored and participated in the annual Stop the Stigma 5K and Interfaith’s annual Feed the Hungry Gala. They’ve donated towards Interfaith’s seasonal programs and organized food and clothing drives.

During the critical pandemic period, when Interfaith’s client numbers continued to rise, Blue Cross also provided more than 10,000 meal kit packages for Interfaith’s food pantry. With a large percentage of their employees working from home due to the pandemic, Blue Cross brought back furloughed cafeteria staff to prepare hundreds of meal kits per day to donate to community members in need.

“We thank Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts for cultivating the philosophy of giving and service in their offices,” said Paula Daniels, Interfaith’s Director of Development. “We are deeply grateful for the time and service their hard-working teams have given to us.”

Several Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts employees attended the volunteer appreciation event and accepted the award on behalf of Blue Cross.

“Blue Cross is committed to creating more equitable, just and healthy communities,” said Jeff Bellows, vice president of corporate citizenship and public affairs. “We’re proud to partner with Interfaith Social Services and to engage our employees in supporting their vital work in the Quincy community.  We’re humbled to be recognized as the Partner of the Year and look forward to many more opportunities to work together to ensure community members have access to the resources necessary to support healthy lifestyles.”  

Volunteers at Interfaith Social Services commit to a three-hour shift per week. Shifts are available Monday-Friday, between 9:30am and 7pm. Opportunities include working in the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop, assisting in food rescue operations, filling orders for clients in the food pantry, staffing the front desk, and stocking and inventorying the pantry.

Those interested in volunteering at Interfaith Social Services are encouraged to contact Paula Daniels at 617-773-6203 ext. 28 or [email protected].

About Interfaith Social Services
Founded in 1947, Interfaith Social Services’ mission is to improve life for South Shore families and individuals in need. Programs include one of the largest food pantries in Greater Boston; budget counseling and homelessness prevention; The New Directions Counseling center, community gardening; free professional attire for job interviews, seasonal initiatives aimed at bringing joy to children, and The Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop – a volunteer-operated boutique with all sales benefiting Interfaith’s programs. Clothing and food donations from the community are always welcome. For more information, or to inquire about volunteering with Interfaith, please visit: www.InterfaithSocialServices.org.