Interfaith Social Services residents Donna Flynn and Brian McGuire

Interfaith honors 24 volunteers, names Heritage Companies Community Partner of the Year

Interfaith Social Services recently inducted 24 South Shore residents into their Matti Lang Volunteer Hall of Fame. The volunteers were honored at a Volunteer Appreciation Night at the Quincy Sons of Italy on August 14. The Heritage Companies was also honored at the event for their outstanding commitment to volunteerism and named Interfaith’s 2025 Community Partner of the Year.

Interfaith Social Services provides South Shore residents with the resources necessary to support a healthy and fulfilling life. Their programs include one of the largest emergency food programs in Greater Boston as well as a mental health counseling center, homelessness prevention program, the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop and seasonal initiatives bringing joy to children and families in need.

More than 150 community residents help support Interfaith’s programs through regular volunteering. Volunteers serve 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.

“This past year, you sorted through more than 10,000 bags of clothes for our Thrift Shop, you distributed nearly 115,000 bags of groceries to our pantry clients and re-stocked our pantry with more than one million pounds of food,” said Paula Daniels, Interfaith’s Director of Development. “Many of you also helped our Gala and 5K events to run smoothly, helping to raise close to $610,000 this past year. You are our saving grace, allowing us to serve all who come to us asking for help.”

Attendees at the Appreciation Night enjoyed a dinner catered by Fasano’s and dessert from Kate’s Confections. During the event, 24 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 residents Ellen Schwendenman, Jim Sullivan, and Devon Werner; Hingham residents Jeff Bochman, Anne Dalton, Julie Farrell, and Lauren White; Milton residents Donna Flynn  and Brian McGuire; and Quincy residents Sarah Alessandro, Jeannie Cai, Bob Carroll, Betsy Doherty, Peter Donohoe, Mary Driscoll, Cathy Elliot, Bill & Laura Lebo, Sandy Mason, Doug McDonald, Richard McLaughlin, Janice Silver-Daniel, Connie Stoeckel, and Joe Szocik.

In addition to the Hall of Fame induction, Interfaith also honored their 2025 Community Partner of the Year, The Heritage Companies. Interfaith awards this honor each year to a business or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to volunteerism.

Heritage has been a community partner of Interfaith for seven years. They have supported Interfaith by providing event sponsorships for both the Feed the Hungry Gala and Stop the Stigma 5K. In addition, in 2024 they began organizing and hosting the Heritage Golf Classic events. The golf events have been crucial community events and fundraisers, raising nearly $200,000 for Interfaith’s HomeSafe homelessness prevention program.

“Support from The Heritage Companies has helped Interfaith cope with significant increases in demand for our services,” said Daniels. “These donations have allowed us to purchase more healthy, fresh produce for our food pantry, have kept local families safe in their homes, and have provided mental health counseling sessions for those that would otherwise not been able to afford treatment. Their amazing contributions over the years have meant so much to us and their positive impact is immeasurable.”

Heritage President Michael Kiley accepted the award on the company’s behalf.

Looking for a meaningful volunteer experience? Weekly volunteer shifts are available in Interfaith Social Services’ Food Pantry and Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop. Interfaith also welcomes corporate volunteer groups and community groups looking for one-day volunteer opportunities.

Those interested in volunteering at Interfaith Social Services are encouraged to find more information at interfaithsocialservices.org/volunteer.