We’re teaming up with the Phantom Gourmet, Ocean State Job Lot and iParty once again for our newest cause marketing program, Phantom Gourmet Meal Deals.

The program starts this week at iParty and next week at Ocean State Job Lot. Both programs will run for two to four weeks and proceeds will support our Food Pantry, which fed 75,000 people last year.

For $1 donation, you get a coupon book which includes valuable coupons from area restaurants and businesses.

Be on the lookout for “Phantom Gourmet Meal Deals” at iParty and Ocean State Job Lot stores!

Students at Buckingham Browne & Nichols helping our food pantry for the eighth year in a row!

http://www.bbns.org/news/2736

WeCanEndThis.com is a year-long initiative to shift the conversation about hunger in America and create real, tangible solutions. With the help of Tyson Foods, there are 10 truckloads of food that will be delivered to 10 different states across the country.

When you promise to help end hunger, you will receive a digital can of food that you can donate to the state of your choice. On March 18, votes will be tallied to determine the top 10 states.

As the only hospital in the country with an on-site preventive food pantry, we've seen firsthand the impact of hunger on the 75,000 men, women and children we helped last year--a jump of 50% from the previous year.    

One of our partners, Ocean State Job Lot, regularly delivers food to BMC. And the story of how they got involved with BMC's food pantry through a delivery of 40,000 pounds of frozen chicken would make Tyson proud.  

Help spread the word by sharing this link http://bit.ly/chpblg and donating your digital can of food to those in Massachusetts. It’s time to help end hunger!

It takes 10,000 pounds of food per week to help 7,300 patients and their families each month at BMC’s food pantry.

“Before I volunteered at BMC, I didn't know much about hunger in the area. From commercials I knew poor kids in other countries were hungry but I never realized hunger was happening right around me,” said Marissa Botticelli, a Wayland High School sophomore who recently stocked shelves at the BMC Preventive Food Pantry when First Parish Church in Needham dropped off a food donation.

As the only hospital-based preventive food pantry in the country, the BMC food pantry is “preventive” because it helps patients and their families put fruits, vegetables and other healthy food choices on their tables, before the dire effects of malnutrition and under nourishment take root.

Like Marissa, her fellow volunteer Katrina Kelly was shocked by the amount of food resources the pantry provides. “I heard that one in three kids go hungry, but that seemed too high to be real.” Marissa agreed, “BMC’s pantry helps more than 7,000 people each month? Half are kids? That's just amazing!”

Kids are most vulnerable to the dangerous consequences of hunger. Although everyone has experienced hunger pangs, true hunger can stunt a child's growth and development. Malnourished kids have difficulty playing sports and learning in the classroom. 

Marissa and Katrina agreed that visiting BMC’s food pantry was eye opening. “My favorite was actually seeing where the food goes," said Marissa. 

Katrina was also surprised to learn that all the food they donated - about 1,500 pounds - will probably be gone by the time you finish reading this article.

At the end of the day, the girls were enthusiastic about their experience. “I’ve already signed up to come back and help next year,” Katrina said. “People who have any means should try to help. It makes a big difference.”

“Absolutely!” echoed Marissa. "It was fun and felt really good to help out!"

Next Monday treat yourself to a delicious Italian meal and support BMC’s Food Pantry. The department of pediatrics will be at the South End's very own Giacomos on Monday, January 11 bussing tables to help provide healthy meals to Boston's hungriest.

Each year, the BMC Food Pantry helps more than 20,000 families. Funds raised from the evening will help the Food Pantry continue its work in 2010.  

The idea of bussing tables for BMC began 10 years ago at Giacomos, and more than $30,000 has been raised through Giacomos for various programs at the hospital.

The money is raised from the generous tips diners leave knowing that their bus boy (or girl) is a doctor trying to help Boston's largest safety-net hospital. 

Dr. Bob Vinci, Vice Chairman of Pediatrics, and Chen Kenyon and Kate Sparger, Pediatric Chief Residents, will be clearing tables and placing smiles for guests who come in to eat that night.

"It's all about great food, great company and a lot of great laughs," said Vinci.

Dinner starts at 5 and is served until 10.

For Marc Perlman, President of Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), dealing with overstock products is part of his every day life. After all, he had been a closeout retailer for more than 25 years. But when he uncovered an extraordinary buying opportunity on Tyson chicken one day in 2003, and decided to give it away to charity, he had to do more wheeling and dealing than even he had probably bargained for. 

"No one could accept the donation. It was a lot of chicken,” recalls Perlman. “You need space and refrigeration and a nonprofit partner capable of making a quick decision. I made the right call when I phoned Boston Medical Center."

Unwilling to turn down the opportunity to help its patients, BMC gladly accepted the chicken and found places to store it all.

“We had chicken in every available refrigerator on campus,” recalls Norman Stein, vice president of Development at BMC.  “Knowing the impact the food would have for patients who frequented the Food Pantry, everyone was willing to adjust to help accommodate such a generous donation.”

Boston Medical Center’s “can-do” attitude deeply impressed Perlman. Soon after, Marc and his wife Claire toured the hospital and met with Elaine Ullian, President and CEO of BMC. The Perlmans saw a hospital that was always willing to go the extra mile for their patients and staff members that were deeply rooted in the mission.

A devoted partnership soon developed between the Perlmans, their company, Ocean State Job Lot, and BMC.

Soon, green and white eighteen-wheel Ocean State Job Lot trucks were backing into the Albany Street loading dock with food, clothes and coats. These oversized care packages have nourished an important lifeline between BMC and its patients.

The Perlmans’ personal support for the hospital grew and culminated in a million dollar gift to the Moakley Building in 2006.

A new phase of Ocean State Job Lot’s support for BMC began in their New England stores when they began selling pinups to raise money for cancer care at BMC. For the several weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, customers are asked to donate a dollar or more to “Compassionate Cancer Care for Everyone.”

To date the program has raised over $600,000. This year's program begins this week at OSJL stores.

“What started with 40,000 pounds of chicken has turned into a partnership that we are proud to support,” says Perlman. “What rang true to Claire and me in 2003 remains steadfast today – BMC is diligent in its efforts to provide exceptional care for everyone in the Boston community.”