Braintree's Ed Kelley Chosen Interfaith Social Services’ Volunteer of the Week

Ed Kelley of Braintree was recently selected as Interfaith Social Services’ volunteer of the week. Each week over one hundred local volunteers donate their time at Interfaith’s Quincy offices. The comprehensive multiservice center provides assistance to families and individuals from the South Shore in need of food, clothing, assistance and counseling.

Ed started volunteering at Interfaith ten years ago after hearing about the opportunity from a friend. He currently volunteers four days a week compiling statistics for Interfaith’s food pantry. “Ed is an amazing guy, his volunteer service sustains our programs,” said Rick Doane Interfaith’s Executive Director. “Much of the funding Interfaith receives comes through grants and community appeals. They depend on good, reliable statistics to show how many people we are serving, Ed makes that possible." 

“When I am done in the food pantry,” said Ed, “I go over to the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop, move furniture, and do whatever needs to be done.” Throughout his years of volunteering Ed has become very proficient at changing watch batteries and watchbands. He rehabs many of the timepieces that are donated to the organization so that they can be resold in the Thrift Shop.

Ed also personally disposes of all the clothing donated to Interfaith which is not suitable for resale in the Thrift Shop. “People donate thousands of bags of clothing a year to our organization,” said director Rick Doane. “Unfortunately, some of it is stained, ripped, soiled etc. Our incredible volunteers sort through it all. Ed loads the unusable items into his truck each day and donates them to an organization that processes them for industrial use.” 

One Tuesday evening each month Ed helps Interfaith’s Food Pantry clients who cannot come to the pantry during regular hours. He gathers groceries for them and helps them to their cars. He signs them up for seasonal programs like Christmas gifts and Thanksgiving. He jokes with them and greats everyone with the same smile and welcoming attitude.

In his own words, “I’ll do anything you need, just come in and ask.” Ed helps at Interfaith’s fundraising events, he builds shelving, mops up leaks, sorts toys and works on countless other projects. Ed personifies the ideal of true selfless service.

With hundreds of individuals volunteering alongside civic, religious and corporate groups Interfaith Social Services has become one of the South Shore’s most popular centers for volunteerism and community engagement. “Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the organization.” said Interfaith’s volunteer coordinator Paula Daniels. “Without their assistance our programs wouldn’t be able to serve over 25,000 South Shore residents every year.”  

Interfaith’s Pantry Shelf is one of Greater Boston’s largest food pantries. Last year volunteers distributed over 500,000 lbs. of food to hungry families.

Interfaith’s volunteers come in for at least one three-hour shift each week, some fulfill multiple time slots. Shifts are available between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Volunteers work in the: food pantry, thrift shop, front desk, or Career Closet. Serving in the food pantry includes assembling grocery orders for clients, restocking shelves and sorting food donations. Volunteering at the thrift shop is similar to working in a retail store. Volunteers sort through donations of clothing and household goods. They assist customers, hang and fold clothes and organize merchandise for sale.

“Volunteering is a great way to get to know people in the community,” said Cindy Lee of Braintree who has been volunteering at Interfaith for over 20 years. “You can come in as a group, or by yourself. High school students come in on their breaks and summer vacations. It is a real team spirit here, the volunteers get to know each other and there is always a familiar face.”

Those who are interested in volunteering with Interfaith Social Services are encouraged to contact volunteer coordinator Paula Daniels at 617-773-6203 ext. 28 or via email pdaniels@interfaithsocialservices.org.