Bella's Food Drive Boston
Feeding Those in Need Since 2012
"Everyone Deserves To Eat"
BFDB & My Brother’s Keeper Team Up
Mary-Kate Tracy UA Isabella Matthews ‘22 Beth Collins ‘20
May 25, 2022
BFDB founder Isabella Matthews UA ‘22 was pleased to present Beth Collins UA ’02 of My Brother’s Keeper located in Easton, MA with a donation that will provide 160 families in need with groceries for a week. My Brothers Keeper is a Christian non-profit organization that provides food and furniture for those in need. As Isabella is celebrating the completion of her senior year of high school and her senior service project in the coming weeks, she was delighted to support a fellow alum and her organization while living up to the Ursuline Academy motto “Serviam”. You can help by donating to either organization through their websites at www.bellasfooddrive.org or www.mybrotherskeeper.org #ursulineacademy #bellasfooddrive #everyonedeservestoeat Ursuline Academy-Dedham
Stay tuned for details about our next event coming up soon!
Covid-19 Can't Stop BFDB!
Little did we know that the global pandemic would go on so long. Our 2020 BFDB Food Drive season kicked off with our staff properly outfitted with PPE to ensure a safe and successful event. Thousands of pounds of food were raised for local food pantries. The event was a smashing success. BFDB was limited in it's ability to help as many as we would like in 2020. We are fired up and ready to serve i
Girl Power was in full effect. The team shown here with our newest and youngest fan!
Behind the scenes with Keegan and Brian providing support.
Moving this much food requires a lot of hard work. Our volunteers work non-stop to make it happen.
An enormous delivery to Rose's Bounty. Tables for as far as the eye can see were filled with our donations.
The generosity of the shoppers at Roche Brothers is unparalleled. All donations go right back into the community.
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St. Theresa's Food Drive 05-27-2020
05-27-2020 BFDB was thrilled to be with fellow alums and teachers to assist St. Theresa School with a "contactless food drive" to do our part to support those in need during these unprecedented times. We were very grateful to be invited to help and happy to report the drive was a great success.
Food Insecurity Is On The Rise
BFDB providing local support to our veterans
Bella's Food Drive stopped by local food pantry Rose's Bounty on Saturday 04/25/2020 to deliver a $1000.00 donation to help support their Disabled Veteran Program that provides necessary staples every Friday. Rose's Bounty reported by social media last week that they have had a dramatic increase in customers due to the pandemic and were running low on food to give. We are grateful to have the resources from our supporters to give to these valuable programs. If you can, please reach out to support your local programs now as food insecurity is on the rise. You can volunteer your time or donate funds to Rose's Bounty through this link https://www.stratfordstreetunitedchurch.org/how-to-help.html
About Us
How We Got Our Start
At our core, is the fundamental belief that everybody in this world should have access to nutritious healthy food. In this modern day, there is no reason that anyone should go without.
At 8 years old Isabella Matthews watched an episode on The Food Network that changed her life. A run-down New Jersey food pantry was being renovated to help feed those in need. Isabella was taken back by the idea that some people did not have enough food to eat. She simply did not understand that some people have trouble making ends meet and struggle to put food on the table. After learning that 1 in 10 people do not have enough to eat, she decided to take action. Bella decided that she was going to ask her family and friends for money to go shopping and donate the food to those in need.
Since its inception in 2012, Bella's Food Drive has grown to include food drives, fundraising and community service. In 2018 Isabella began an awareness campaign to educate people about the importance of giving back through various speaking engagements and organizing a Walk For Hunger team. In 2019 she expanded the program to include in-store drives with a "beneficiary of the day" format. By recruiting and organizing the volunteers she is planting this critical seed of awareness in our youth that will be sure to help create a legacy of mindful young people who can keep the message simple and clear that..."Everyone Deserves To Eat!"
Food Drives
Our core operation is our Annual Holiday Food Drive. With a grassroots network of family and friends we have provided over 20,000 nutritious meals as of the end of 2018 and thousands more with each year that passes.
In 2019 we launched our in-store program to hold "Beneficiary of the Day" food drives. A local pantry will directly benefit from the days donations at select local supermarkets.
Every year we work to continue expanding our list of donors. With your help we will continue to provide those thousands of meals to those in need. Our beneficiaries have been the Greater Boston Food Bank and it's nearly 600 member agencies, Rose's Bounty of West Roxbury, Catholic Charities of Boston, Dedham Food Pantry, The Roslindale Food Pantry and The Fisher House.
Fundraising
The Bella's Food Drive fundraising operation accelerates our ability to help. It produces the important revenue needed to support local programs that fight hunger and poverty in general. We turn to local companies, corporations and sports franchises for help. Isabella's vision of assisting those in need is ever evolving. With each year that passes, Isabella sets the bar higher. We pledge that 100% of your donations less operating expenses will go straight to those in need. We are volunteer operated and take no salaries.
Out in the community
Bella visited with students in November 2019 at St Theresa of Avila to promote community service and discuss how to get involved.
The students had so many questions and ideas which led to a great discussion. We are excited to hear where their ideas take them.
3 Drives-3 Pantries-1 Month
9-14-2019
Rose's Bounty Food Drive at Roche Brothers
Hundreds of pounds of food were collected and donated to the West Roxbury Food Pantry. We had a nice visit from Pastor Enid and Linda. Right after we delivered to them and got to see first hand how busy they are and how many people they serve. It is quite an operation with so many volunteers. They are a very enthusiastic bunch doing great work in
10-5-2019 Dedham Food Pantry Drive
Star Market Dedham
The day started off a bit chilly and we had to call in reinforcements to transport all of the collections. The shoppers in Dedham did not disappoint. Our founder Isabella is shown here at drop off right after the event with Mr Bob Samonte who helps run the pantry. Dedham Food Pantry is open every Saturday. We were told that we supplied enough sta
10-19-19
Roslindale Food Pantry at the Roslindale Congregational Church
The kids seen here with Rosemary Braverman the director, who was very happy to see us. This was our second drive at Roche Brothers. Our prior food drives were so successful we decided to rent a van which we filled to the brim. The generosity of the shoppers really touched our volunteers. Although a bit chilly, the donations kep
In-Store Food Drive Highlights 2019
Food Drives
Food Drives
Food Drives
Look for us out and about at local supermarkets. Events planned for FALL 2019.
Awareness
Food Drives
Food Drives
Spreading the word and inspiring youth to get out there and help others.
Fundraising
Food Drives
Fundraising
100% of your donations go directly to the food pantries we support. Donate today!
How to Donate Food
Donating to Bella's Annual Food Drive
Bella's Food Drive depends on food donations from many different sources. We begin collecting from our donors around the beginning of October each year. With so many other charities providing for holiday meal drives, we choose to make an impact for the other 50 weeks of the year. We sort and store all non-perishable food items and usually deliver to our beneficiaries right after the first of the year. We are happy to do our part by picking up donations. Please contact us directly through the web page or call (617)678-6812 to schedule.
How to Donate To Bella's Food Drive
The buying power of a single dollar
Each year fundraising sources become more and more diverse.
The buying power of your donations will provide 3 pounds of food for each $1 that is donated. That ability to really stretch a dollar is what makes the difference.
Please take the time to donate at the top of the page!!
#everyonedeservestoeat
HIGHLIGHTS
Nally Award Winner at GBFB
Nally Award Winner at GBFB
Nally Award Winner at GBFB
November 9 2017- With Governor Baker and Mayor Walsh in attendance, Isabella was honored by the Greater Boston Food Bank with The Nally Award. She was recognized for her dedication to ending hunger. The GBFB is our largest recipient of donations to date because they distribute to over 550 hunger relief organizations in Eastern MA.
The Early Years
Nally Award Winner at GBFB
Nally Award Winner at GBFB
2012-The picture that started it all!
First year food drive raised a humble 189 pounds of food that was donated to Catholic Charities of Boston in time for Thanksgiving. With positive results, Bella decided she would try to raise the bar to 300 pounds the following year and see what happens!
Volunteer Work
Nally Award Winner at GBFB
Making Deliveries
Putting in hours helping to pack nutritious food for those in need.
Assembly line teamwork getting the job done. 420 care packs were put together in 2 hours.
Making Deliveries
Sorting Food at Home
Making Deliveries
Packing up our cars to make deliveries to The Fisher House at the VA Hospital West Roxbury - circa 2014. Specifically included this year were things like toiletries to keep operating costs down for The Fisher House which provides a place to stay for visiting family members of Veterans having surgeries.
Sorting Food at Home
Sorting Food at Home
Sorting Food at Home
Sorting through donations on Christmas Eve 2017. Preparing for delivery. During the Fall and early Winter we are hard at work sorting and packing up your donations. Our collection season seems to get longer each year! No rest for the weary.
Raising Awareness
Sorting Food at Home
Sorting Food at Home
Spreading the word to 5th graders at St Theresa of Avila in West Roxbury, MA.
St. T's is Bella's alma mater and her biggest supporter. Collection boxes in the classrooms raise hundreds of pounds of food each year. St Theresa's has embraced Bella's vision and has been onboard since day 1.
Our Friends
