Milton volunteer Donna Tippo inducted into Interfaith Social Services’ Hall of Fame

Interfaith Social Services celebrated their volunteers on June 8 with a Volunteer Appreciation Night at the Quincy Masonic Building. During the event, 21 volunteers were inducted into Interfaith Social Services’ Matti Lang Hall of Fame.

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 Social Services has been a safety net for thousands of children and families from the South Shore who are struggling to make ends meet.

A volunteer contingent of more than 140 community residents helps support Interfaith’s programs. Volunteers help in a range of capacities, including serving on the Board of Directors, taking on weekly Food Pantry and Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop shifts, and assisting at Interfaith’s annual Stop the Stigma 5K and Feed the Hungry Gala fundraising events.

“Volunteers are absolutely essential in Interfaith being able to deliver our programs,” said Paula Daniels, Interfaith’s Director of Development and Volunteer Coordinator. “Interfaith’s volunteers are superheroes; they go above and beyond to serve all who come to us asking for help.”

Attendees at the Appreciation Night were treated to a barbecue dinner from Black’s Creek BBQ and dessert from Kate’s Confections. After dinner, everyone took part in a lively game of Singo, a musical bingo game featuring songs from the 1960s.

During the event, 21 volunteers were inducted into the Matti Lang Hall of Fame, which 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:

• Braintree resident Jay Waldron
• Charleston, SC (formerly of Quincy) resident MacKenzie Lyle
• Hingham resident Lisa Levenson
• Hull residents Deni Howley and Peter MacKenna
• Marshfield resident Donna McGinn
• Middleboro resident Joseph Silva, Jr.
• Milton resident Donna Tippo
• New Bedford resident James Madej
• Quincy residents Sarah Alberione, Loretta Barron, Cindy Brandi, Mary Jane Callahan, Ruth Davis, Brian Delaney, Dan Jaehnig, Angela Lee, Judy Morris, Mimi Powers, Julie Sorgi, and Amy Zydanowic

Looking for a volunteer experience? Weekly volunteer shifts are now available in Interfaith Social Services’ Food Pantry and Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop. Volunteers at Interfaith commit to a three-hour shift per week. Shifts are available Monday-Friday, between 9:30am and 7pm. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age, able to lift 30 pounds, and able to work in a fast-paced environment. 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].