BC student donations benefit
St. Francis House in Boston
more than 7,600 guests at the day shelter
Boston College students have once again demonstrated what it means to be men and women for others, say Boston College Dining Services administrators.
As they did last year, undergraduates donated their unused meal plan funds, via BCDS, to support St. Francis House in Boston, the largest day shelter in Massachusetts.
BC Dining Services Assistant Director Brian Hazelwood (left) and St. Francis House Community Engagement and Safety Supervisor Lawrenzo Dualu deliver the food purchased through BC student donations.
The result of their generosity yielded the purchase of more than 6,680 pounds of food, which will feed more than 7,600 guests experiencing homelessness during combined breakfast and lunch services.
The initiative funded the delivery in May of some 290 crates containing rolled buckeye oats, cheese omelets, whole grain waffles, breakfast sausage, chicken thighs and “drummies.” BCDS was joined in the effort by Office of Governmental and Community Affairs Vice President Thomas Keady, who assisted in the delivery.
“A donation like this is so significant for us, especially at a time when food prices are rising and federal funding is shrinking,” said Linda Curtin, marketing and communications lead at St. Francis House. “It literally makes it possible for us to provide thousands of meals to people who need them most. We’re so grateful to Boston College.”
“We were once again fortunate to support St. Francis House through funds donated from student meal plans,” said Megan O’Neill, Auxiliary Services director of auxiliary finance, systems and procurement. “Despite rising food costs, our buying power allowed us to purchase even more food for them than last year. As both an alum and a staff member, I am proud to be part of the BC community and contribute to the ethos of ‘men and women for others!’”
Since its founding in 1984, St. Francis House, located on Boylston Street in the heart of downtown Boston, has had a deep connection to BC, particularly through the University’s PULSE Program and other student placements.
The team on site at the donation devilery included (L-R) Anthony Henderson, Stock & Distribution Worker, Catering; Christopher Bove, General Manager, Corcoran Commons; Elizabeth Emery, Director, Dining Services; Frank Bailey, Associate Director, Food & Beverage; Megan O’Neill, Director, Auxiliary Finance, Systems, & Procurement; Brian Hazelwood, Assistant Director, Procurement & Vendor Relations, Auxiliary Procurement; Sharon Sprague, Sr. Associate Director, Office of Marketing & Communications; Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences student Carly Amendolare '26; Linda Curtin, Marketing and Communications lead, St. Francis House; Valerie Harrison, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, St. Francis House; Thomas Keady, VP, Boston College Office of Governmental & Community Affairs; Amelio Lopez, Stock & Distribution Worker, Corcoran Commons.