Launch of SSFB Leadership Program

Rockland, MA – The South Shore Food Bank launches a new Leadership Program to connect local business talent with food pantry leaders in a skills sharing program. Launching this Friday, August 12th, ten passionate leaders from food pantries across the South Shore will meet at South Shore Food Bank warehouse before embarking on a tour of local food pantries. What follows is once monthly meetings where successful business owners on the South Shore join the cohort to share on topics such as board leadership, fundraising, and strategy. 

“Independent, grassroots organizations play a vital role in addressing food security and health outcomes of residents in the region,” says Pamela Denholm, Executive Director of South Shore Food Bank, “we hope to support community leaders as they rise to meet the ever changing challenges around food security and food equity in our communities.”

Even though things are almost back to normal since the height of Covid-19, food pantries across the Greater Boston Food Bank network have reported, on average, a 113% increase in clients and continue to see elevated levels of need. On the South Shore, this can mostly be attributed to increased cost of groceries, higher gas prices, and shortages in housing. 

Through the Leadership Program, the South Shore Food Bank hopes to strengthen the network of food security organizations. “Hunger is too big of an issue for any one organization to tackle on their own. We need to work together as a community,” said Rick Doane, Executive Director of Interfaith Social Services in Quincy, one of the contributors of the program who will be sharing insights on how to engage boards and committees, harnessing energy and enthusiasm to the best possible benefit. 

“South Shore Food Bank has made significant investments in food security infrastructure since November last year,” says Denholm, “investing in the community leaders working to address food insecurity seems a logical next step.”