Pipefitters Union Donates $20,000 to GBFB

The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), the largest hunger-relief organization in New England,  has received a $20,000 gift from the Pipefitters Local 537 that is being used to address the increased demand for food aid among families hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The donation will help to provide 60,000 meals for residents in over 190 cities and towns across the state.

“We know how important it is to help families in need, especially right now,” said Pipefitters Local 537 Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer Tom Kerr. “During one of the most difficult times in our nation’s history, we’re happy to step up and provide for our fellow Bay Staters.”

The contribution will provide nutritious, delicious meals to residents at risk of going hungry. Funds were directly collected from proceeds at the Local 537 Charitable Foundation’s Annual Golf Tournament last year.  

Due to the impact of COVID-19, there’s been a sharp increase in incidents of hunger among Bay Staters, a trend that’s expected to continue. Since the onset of the pandemic in March, The Greater Boston Food Bank has experienced the sixth-largest distribution months in its 40-year history. That’s a total of more than 58 million pounds of food distributed in only six months, or 2.5 million pounds of food per week.