Father Bill’s & MainSpring Exceeds Fundraising Goal

From FBMS:Father Bill’s & MainSpring (FBMS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to ending homelessness in Southern Massachusetts, raised more than $335,000 at its 24th annual FoodFest on Tuesday, July 31, at The Launch at Hingham Shipyard and Hingham Beer Works.

FoodFest, FBMS’ signature fundraiser held each July, raises money to support the agency’s range of services for individuals, families, and veterans experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. The agency assists more than 6,500 people annually by providing emergency shelter, homelessness prevention services, employment programs, and more than 500 permanent supportive housing units.

Funds raised at FoodFest particularly help FBMS close the 54 percent funding gap at its emergency shelters in Quincy and Brockton. Agency leaders had hoped to match last year’s FoodFest fundraising total of $320,000, and the event wound up exceeding that goal by more than $15,000.

Tuesday’s fundraiser, attended by approximately 750 people, featured delicious tastings from 40 of the South Shore’s most popular restaurants, bakeries and beverage distributors. Guests also were treated to a wine pull, live music, a chance raffle, and a silent auction for an assortment of valuable items.

This year’s FoodFest had approximately 80 corporate sponsors, including the following three Presenting Sponsors who were recognized at the event: Arbella Insurance Foundation, Bank of America, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. The event’s Premier sponsors were Citizens Bank, Flatley Foundation, Granite Telecommunications, Jack Conway Realtor, and United Way of Greater Plymouth County.

FoodFest’s venue sponsors were The Launch at Hingham Shipyard and Hingham Beer Works, and media sponsors were The Patriot Ledger and Wicked Local.

“This year’s FoodFest was another reminder that we belong to a wonderful community which goes above and beyond to help our neighbors most in need,” FBMS President & CEO John Yazwinski said. “We’re incredibly grateful to all of our corporate sponsors, our venue and media sponsors, the vendors, the in-kind auction donors, and the hundreds of individuals who attended the event to send a resounding message of compassion and hope.”

During the event, Yazwinski presented the agency’s Richard C. & Virginia A. Welch Dedicated Volunteer Award to the volunteers from Hingham Congregational Church, which has been supporting FBMS’ mission for three decades. The Rev. Dr. Peter Allen, Libby King, and Pennie Baltera accepted the award on behalf of the volunteer group.

For more information about Father Bill’s & MainSpring, visit www.helpfbms.org.

Image via Father Bill’s & MainSpring