By John Lynds
East Boston State Representative Adrian Madaro, whose career in public service began as Chief of Staff in former Rep. Carlo Basile’s office, said one of the main issues he worked on then and continues to work on today is food insecurity for hundreds of residents.
Since being elected Madaro has been a champion of programs that have helped curb hunger in his district like Eastie-based Project Bread, the East Boston Community Soup Kitchen and the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB)
Last week, Madaro’s work was recognized by the GBFB as one of two state legislators honored with the Food Bank’s Public Advocate of the Year award.
Madaroand Sen. Eric Lesser (D-First Hampden and Hampshire) received the award recognizes public officials who have shown a strong commitment to the provision and protection of emergency food assistance and ensuring those struggling with hunger have enough to eat every day.
“This award is a great honor,” said Madaro. “Our work in government is only as strong as the partnerships that we create, and we could not ask for a better partner in the fight to end hunger and food insecurity than the Greater Boston Food Bank. I thank all the staff, volunteers, and board members for their tireless efforts to end hunger in the greater Boston region.”
GBFB President and CEO Catherine D’Amato said since his election, Madaro has been deeply engaged with the Food Bank–working to ensure that his most vulnerable constituents have access to healthy food.
“He was instrumental in forging a partnership between The Greater Boston Food Bank and the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center to identify food-insecure patients,” she said.
The Public Advocate of the Year Awards were presented at GBFB’s Partner Appreciation Day event, held at its Boston facility, which recognizes both individuals and organizations who have made invaluable contributions to helping GBFB achieve its mission to end hunger here.
Later month Madaro will host his yearly event on Thanksgiving Day that was started by his predecessor.
The annual East Boston Thanksgiving Day charitable dinner, that has made the holiday a little more cheerful for hundreds of low-income, homeless and elderly residents in the neighborhood, will be held on Thursday, November 23 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church.
Madaro and a group of friends, family and volunteers from across the neighborhood will provide a full Thanksgiving meal for residents that may otherwise go hungry during the holiday.
Year after year the event has grown and helps over 400 of people in the neighborhood enjoy Thanksgiving in Eastie.