Press Release: 10/28/2025
GBFB’s 16th Annual Women Fighting HungerBreaks Fundraising Record
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Greater Boston Food Bank’s 16th Annual “Women Fighting Hunger” Breakfast
Raises Record-Breaking $1.13 Million to Address Food Insecurity
Philanthropist and ‘Quin House co-founder Sandy Edgerley honored for
her dedication to ending hunger in Eastern Massachusetts
Boston, MA (October 27, 2025) – The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) held its 16th Annual Women Fighting Hunger Breakfast on October 23 at the Seaport Hotel, with nearly 400 attendees convening to raise $1.13 million, the highest amount fundraised in the event’s history, to support food security and empower families across Eastern Massachusetts. This record-breaking achievement comes at a time of growing need across Eastern Massachusetts, as more families struggle to afford basic necessities and federal hunger-relief funding declines.
Women Fighting Hunger is a GBFB-led initiative that empowers women leaders to advocate, fundraise, and volunteer to address food insecurity.
Funds raised from the event will help GBFB distribute millions of pounds of nutritious food through its network of over 600 agency partners, ensuring children, families, and older adults have consistent access to healthy meals. This year’s event took place at a pivotal moment: demand for food assistance continues to climb while trusted programs like SNAP and WIC face ongoing threats, and the rising cost of living, groceries, and housing intensifies pressure on families across the region.
“The problem of hunger has been accelerated by recent federal policy changes and program reductions,” said Catherine D’Amato, president and CEO at The Greater Boston Food Bank. “We’re seeing requests for more food from our pantry partners, who are already quite overburdened. But food is a basic human right, and hunger is a nonpartisan issue. GBFB will be here every single day for our partners in need until hunger no longer exists.”
The Women Fighting Hunger Committee, a volunteer group of women business and civic leaders, led by event co-chairs Jennifer Harrington and Anja Shafer once again played a central role in organizing the event. Since its inception in 2010, the committee has raised millions of dollars – equivalent to nearly 7.5 million healthy meals – while continuing to advocate for awareness, access, and equity in food security across Eastern Massachusetts.
The program honored longtime philanthropist, consultant, and real estate leader Sandy Edgerley, co-founder of The ‘Quin House, for her outstanding commitment to GBFB’s mission and her broader contributions to the Greater Boston community. Through her personal support and the volunteerism of The ‘Quin House Impact Fund members, who have collectively volunteered nearly 400 hours at GBFB’s warehouse, Edgerley has been a driving force in fostering action and awareness around hunger-relief.
“In our community, to go hungry is just unimaginable. And yet it happens – one in three Massachusetts residents continues to face food insecurity,” said Edgerley. “It’s so important that we find a way to help, and every single one of you makes a difference every day. You make an impact, you’re involved, you care. I think that’s one of the things that makes me most proud to be part of this community. All together, I think we really can end hunger in Massachusetts.”
In her remarks Edgerley shared that the board of The ‘Quin Impact Fund, one of GBFB’s leading supporters, voted to double their annual gift, marking a transformational contribution to GBFB’s record-breaking fundraiser.
To learn more about Women Fighting Hunger and ways to get involved, visit the Women Fighting Hunger page.
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.
Media Contact
Nate Hillyer
The Castle Group
M: 860-574-5507