Q: For readers who may not be familiar with Interfaith Social Services, can you tell us about your mission and the people you serve?
A: For the past 80 years, Interfaith Social Services has been serving families in need across the South Shore. We were founded with the purpose of helping families and children in need. One of our oldest programs is our Mental Health Counseling Center, where we serve people regardless of whether they have insurance, ensuring everyone has access to mental health and addiction recovery treatment.
Our food pantry grew out of that work in the 1970s, when our therapists began hearing about a growing need for emergency food. At the time, the concept of community food pantries was just beginning to emerge as a way for people in need to access nutritious food. Interfaith was among the first organizations in the United States to establish one.
Then, in the 1990s, our therapists began hearing about the growing need for housing assistance and homelessness prevention. That led to the creation of our HomeSafe homelessness prevention program.
One of the things that helps fund all these programs, and one of the things many people know us for, is our retail thrift shop. The thrift shop serves as a fundraiser, with proceeds helping support all our other programs.
Q: For nearly two decades, Keohane and Interfaith have worked together through sponsorships, volunteerism, and community initiatives. From your perspective, what has made this partnership so meaningful over the years?
A: I think what makes a partnership meaningful is authenticity. And that is what Keohane brings to the table. They do what they do because they genuinely care about the community, and that's evident in every interaction I've had with them. Their approach isn't transactional. They're committed to making a real difference. They truly embody the kind of compassion and community-mindedness we need more businesses to embrace.
Q: Both of our organizations are rooted in caring for people during some of life's most challenging moments. Where do you see our missions intersecting, and why do you think that partnership works so well?
A: At the heart of both Keohane and Interfaith Social Services is the power of community.
When someone turns to Keohane during a time of loss, their community comes together to support them. Likewise, when someone comes to Interfaith for help, whether they're seeking food or other services, they're seeing their community mobilize to support them.
That community takes many forms, from the donors whose generosity makes our programs possible to the more than 200 volunteers who serve each week, helping distribute food to neighbors in need. It's that true sense of community that both of our organizations embody.
Q: The Plant.Grow.Share. program has become a longtime tradition in our community. Can you tell us a little about how it began, what makes it so special, and the impact it has on the families you serve?
A: One of the things that's neat about the beginnings of the Plant.Grow.Share. program is that it grew out of a community partnership. I was sitting next to Joe Reardon from Keohane at a Lions Club meeting, and we were talking about the needs that existed in the community. Joe said, "I think we could do something to help."
One of the needs we discussed was the demand for fresh produce at food pantries. We serve so many children and seniors, and fresh fruits and vegetables are some of the items they want and need most. At the same time, we both knew plenty of people who had more zucchini than they could possibly use in July and August.
It felt like a natural opportunity to work together, with the shared goal of raising awareness about the need for fresh produce at local food pantries while creating an easy way for people to donate their extra harvest.
Q:
The annual Winter Coat Drive has also become an important community tradition. Approximately how many coats has the drive provided over the years, and what do initiatives like this say about the power of neighbors helping neighbors?
A: It's safe to say that thousands of coats have been distributed through this partnership between Keohane, Dependable Cleaners, and Interfaith Social Services.
The idea behind the program is that not everyone can make a financial donation to a nonprofit, but everyone can contribute something. Community coat drives like this give people the opportunity to feel invested, be part of something meaningful, and know they're making a difference for their neighbors.
The drive also raises awareness. While it provides much-needed coats to individuals and families, it also lets people know about the available services. When someone needs help, they know where to turn. So, the program not only meets a basic need by providing warm winter coats but also helps connect people with additional resources and support in the community.
Q: Interfaith Social Services’ food rescue program addresses both food insecurity and food waste. Can you talk about how this program works and why it is so important?
A: Our food rescue program is an important part of our work. About half of the food we distribute through our food pantry comes from local supermarkets, with one of our trucks on the road every day collecting donations.
Each year, we rescue approximately half a million pounds of food, which allows us to be as responsible as possible while also reducing waste. Instead of that food entering the waste stream, we make sure it gets into the hands of people who need it and onto the tables of hungry families.
When we do receive food that is no longer edible, we work with a composting partner to ensure it still serves a purpose by returning those nutrients to the earth.
Q: Many Keohane team members have enjoyed volunteering alongside Interfaith over the years. How important is hands-on volunteerism to your organization, and what does it mean for community members to roll up their sleeves to help?
A: Volunteers are the heart and soul of Interfaith Social Services. We simply could not operate our food pantry or our thrift shop without the incredible volunteers who generously give their time. As I mentioned before, it really reflects the spirit of community. Neighbors coming together to support neighbors in need.
Volunteering is an opportunity not only for individuals to give back, but also for businesses to get involved. There's a common perception that every nonprofit needs volunteers, but that's not the case. Many nonprofits don't rely on volunteers to operate their programs. Food pantries and organizations like ours are the exception. We truly need as many volunteers as possible.
When businesses like Keohane dedicate time for their employees to volunteer, it demonstrates their commitment to the community. It also sends a powerful message to their employees that they care about making a meaningful impact, not just doing something for the sake of it. We've heard from many businesses that employees who volunteer together feel part of something bigger and, as a result, develop a stronger connection to their workplace. So, they're not only helping the community, but they're also strengthening their own teams.
Q: This year, Interfaith is recognizing Keohane Funeral & Cremation as your 2026 Community Partner of the Year. What made Keohane stand out for this honor?
A: For us, it really comes down to a commitment to the community. Each year, we select one individual or one business to receive this award, and we're looking for someone who truly sets an example through their dedication, volunteerism, and service. We want to recognize those who stand out and embody what it means to be a true community hero.
Our partnership with Keohane has been going strong for many years, and that longevity speaks volumes. This isn't a one-time effort or a short-term initiative. It's a partnership that has spanned multiple decades, built on a genuine commitment to serving our community.
We believe this recognition is incredibly well deserved, and we're confident this partnership will continue making a meaningful impact for many years to come.
Q:
Over the years, how have the needs of the South Shore community evolved, and what trends are you seeing today?
A: One of our largest programs is our food pantry, and we've experienced the same trend seen across Massachusetts: a significant increase in the number of people who need emergency food. Before the pandemic, about 20% of people in the state reported being food insecure, meaning they didn't have enough food for their families or were worried about where their next meal would come from. Recent surveys show that number has climbed to nearly 40%.
At the same time, thousands of children across Massachusetts have lost SNAP benefits this year, leaving many families with emergency food programs as their primary source of support.
One of the biggest drivers we're seeing is the lack of affordable housing in Massachusetts. As housing costs continue to rise, people are forced to devote more of their income to rent, leaving less money for groceries. As a result, more families are turning to food pantries to help make ends meet.
We're also seeing a significant increase in the number of seniors seeking assistance. Many are living on fixed incomes and simply can't keep up with rising rent and other everyday expenses.
For years, we've distributed diapers to food pantry clients with young children because those essential items aren't covered by assistance programs. Today, we're also distributing tens of thousands of incontinence products each year to help older adults meet another basic need.
Q: What role do long-term community partnerships play in helping Interfaith meet the growing needs of our neighbors?
A: Our ability to meet the growing needs of our community can only be accomplished through long-term partnerships. We can't continue to grow as an organization and respond to increasing demand without being able to count on our community.
Knowing that Keohane is there and that we can count on them as volunteers, as advocates, and as a committed community partner is incredibly important as we work to keep pace with the growing need. Quite simply, we could not fulfill our mission without partnerships like this.
As a nonprofit organization, we rely on support from many different parts of our community, including generous individuals, foundations, state and federal government, and local businesses. Each plays an essential role in sustaining the nonprofit sector.
The support of local businesses is critical. Without partners like Keohane, organizations like ours simply couldn't survive.
Q: Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for Interfaith, and where do you see the greatest opportunities to continue serving our community together?
A: Anyone who has driven by our offices in Quincy has seen the line of cars and individuals waiting at our door as they seek out food assistance. It is a powerful reminder of the growing need in our community.
One of the opportunities we're looking forward to is finding a new location for our food pantry, one that will provide expanded access and greater dignity for the people we serve. As we move toward a new model, we want to give clients more choice, more voice, and more control over the types of food they receive.
As we embark on this next chapter and search for a new site in Quincy, we know we can continue to rely on partners like Keohane. Their support will help us bring in volunteers, sort donations, and meet the increased demand that this new facility will allow us to serve.
Q: For readers who would like to support Interfaith as a volunteer, donor, or community partner, what's the best way to get involved?
A: I would encourage people to follow us on social media. Our website provides information about all the different ways people can participate, from making financial donations to supporting drives and other initiatives. But by following us on social media, people can see the immediate needs in our community and respond in real time.
Following us on social media, sharing our posts, and commenting on what they see are simple ways people can help that don't cost anything. It raises awareness, helps more people understand the needs in our community, and allows people to respond to specific requests as they arise. Some people really want to purchase a specific item and bring it in, and social media helps them know exactly what is needed.
That said, while these in-kind donations are incredibly valuable, financial support remains one of our greatest needs. Our food budget has grown by 600% over the past five years, so financial donations are more important than ever in helping us continue to serve our community.
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