Forty-one South Shore residents earlier this month were inducted into the Interfaith Social Services’ Matti Lang Hall of Fame. The volunteers were honored at a virtual Volunteer Appreciation Night on Aug. 12. Local health care staffing company IntelyCare was also honored at the event as Interfaith’s 2021 Community Partner of the Year for its exemplary commitment to volunteerism.
This year’s honorees included Hull residents Cat Bryant and Theresa DelGuidice.
The Hall of Fame recognizes those volunteers 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.
Many of the honorees came to Interfaith at the start of the pandemic in 2020. As lockdowns commenced and businesses closed doors, nearly 60 percent of Interfaith’s regular volunteer force needed to take a pause in their service. After calls to the community, a new group of volunteers stepped in to help keep Interfaith’s essential food pantry services going.
“We’re so grateful to the volunteers that assisted us in a vital time of need and continue to show up each and every week to serve on the front lines with us,” said Interfaith’s director of development, Paula Daniels. “Because of them, we’ve been able to keep Interfaith’s programs operational and make sure none of our neighbors go hungry or lose hope. It was wonderful to be able to honor and thank all our volunteers for their service at the volunteer appreciation event.”
Interfaith Social Services operates one of Greater Boston’s largest emergency food pantries, a mental health counseling center, a thrift shop, and a 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.
Volunteers at Interfaith Social Services commit to a three-hour shift per week. Shifts are available Monday-Friday, between 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Opportunities include working in the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop, filling orders for clients in the food pantry, staffing the front desk, and stocking and keeping inventory in the pantry.
Those interested in volunteering at Interfaith Social Services are encouraged to contact Paula Daniels at 617-773-6203, ext. 28, or pdaniels@interfaithsocialservices.org.
