Bread of Life

What Bread of Life does

Bread of Life is a nonprofit, nondenominational, faith-based food security organization founded in 1989 (originating from the St Paul's Parish Supper Program in Malden, MA) and headquartered at 54 Eastern Avenue in Malden, Massachusetts. It distributes 1.3 million pounds of free food annually to economically struggling residents across Malden and twelve surrounding communities in the North metro Boston area, operating a food mart, multiple distribution sites, grocery delivery, meal delivery to homeless households, public school nutrition backpacks, and a Food Access project that provides interpreting, translating, education and referral services.

The organization runs on a donation- and grant-funded revenue model (individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, government/USDA support via the Greater Boston Food Bank) supplemented by an extensive annual fundraising event calendar that includes an annual 3-mile walk (with Premier sponsorships of $10,000 down to Warm-up sponsorships of $500), a bowling tournament, a Just Desserts tasting gala, a holiday craft fair, a comedy night, benefit concerts and holiday community dinners. Distribution is executed through hundreds of recurring volunteers and a 146-person staff, with operational delivery via direct walk-in services, home delivery, school-based channels, and partnerships with Mystic Valley Elder Services, Everett and Malden Public Schools, the City of Malden and Metro North Housing Corp.

In August 2024 the organization opened its new "Under One Roof" facility, which centralizes dining hall, kitchen, food pantry and offices and adds 14 affordable studio apartments through a partnership with Metro North Housing Corp, extending its model from pure food distribution into an integrated food-plus-housing hub. The organization is currently led by Executive Director Gabriella Snyder Stelmack following the passing of longtime ED Tom Feagley.

Name

Bread of Life

Legal name

Bread of Life, Inc.

Website

https://breadoflifemalden.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bread of Life is a faith-based nonprofit in Malden, Massachusetts that distributes 1.3 million pounds of free food annually through food marts, delivery programs and school backpacks, and now operates an integrated food-plus-housing facility for economically struggling residents across the North metro Boston area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Security Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421), Community Food Services (624210), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Assistance & Food Banks (BPAGAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAF), Emergency Food Security & Nutrition in Humanitarian Crises (BPADAJAI)

Keywords

• Food security services
• Community food distribution
• Nonprofit hunger relief
• School nutrition programs
• Meal delivery services

Headquarters

HQ city

Malden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Funded by individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and government support to provide free food distribution services to the community.
2. Food Distribution: Provides 1.3 million pounds of free food annually through food mart, food distribution sites, grocery delivery, meal delivery to homeless households, and public school nutrition backpacks.
3. Event Fundraising: Annual fundraising events including walks, bowling tournaments, comedy nights, benefit concerts, and craft fairs generate revenue through ticket sales and sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

Bread of Life is a nonprofit, faith-based food security organization that provides 1.3 million pounds of free food annually to economically struggling residents of the North metro Boston area. Its core services include a walk-in food mart, multiple regional distribution sites, home grocery delivery, meal delivery to homeless households, and a public school backpack nutrition program, supplemented by interpreting, translating, education and referral services through its Food Access Project. The organization also operates the centralized 'Under One Roof' facility in Malden, which houses its programs and 14 affordable studio apartments through a partnership with Metro North Housing Corp.

Product overview

Bread of Life is a nonprofit, nondenominational, faith-based food security organization providing 1.3 million pounds of free food annually through multiple programs including a food mart, food distribution sites, grocery delivery, meal delivery to homeless households, and public school nutrition backpacks. The organization operates from its 'Under One Roof' facility at 54 Eastern Avenue in Malden, which also provides 14 affordable studio apartments. Bread of Life supplements its core food security services with various fundraising events including annual walks, galas, bowling events, craft fairs, concerts, and holiday dinners. The organization also sells donated artwork through its Tom Feagley Art program to support feeding operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Mart (Walk-in Pantry) A walk-in food pantry where community members in the North metro Boston area can access free groceries directly from the Bread of Life facility.
• Food Distribution Sites Multiple distribution sites throughout the North metro Boston service area providing free food access to economically struggling residents.
• Grocery Delivery Home grocery delivery service for community members in need who are unable to pick up food at the food mart or distribution sites.
• Meal Delivery to Homeless Households Direct meal delivery service targeting homeless households in the North metro Boston service area.
• Backpack Nutrition Program School-based backpack nutrition program providing free food to food-insecure students in Everett and Malden public schools.
• Food Access Project Program providing interpreting, translating, education, and referral services to help lower-income communities overcome barriers related to race, ethnicity, language, culture, religion, age, and gender in accessing nutritious food.
• Francis and Barbara Brown Thanksgiving Dinner Free community Thanksgiving dinner offering dine-in and home-delivered meals for senior citizens and disabled individuals in the North metro Boston area, coordinated with Mystic Valley Elder Services and the City of Malden.
• Annual Christmas Day Dinner Free community Christmas Day dinner featuring roast beef, roasted potatoes, vegetables, bread, fruit, dessert, coffee and tea, with delivery for homebound individuals and sponsorship from Malden Public Schools Nutrition Services and Project Ezra.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.3 million pounds of free food provided annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for meal delivery services to senior citizens and consumers. MVES case managers coordinate meal deliveries for their clients on Thanksgiving and Christmas. MVES CEO Lisa Gurgone praised Bread of Life's coordination with City of Malden for meal deliveries.
• Metro North Housing CorpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide 14 affordable studio apartments at the new 'Under One Roof' facility at 54 Eastern Ave. This housing component was part of the grand opening in August 2024.
• City of Malden / Mayor Gary ChristensoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Mayor Christenson and the City of Malden for holiday meal deliveries and community events. The mayor's office coordinates meal delivery services for seniors.
• Malden Public SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMalden Public Schools Nutrition Services sponsors Christmas Day Dinner and participates in nutrition programs.
• Everett Public SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEverett public school students benefit from the Backpack Nutrition Program developed with Bread of Life. Long-time volunteer Terri O'Brien was instrumental in developing this program.
• Greater Boston Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBread of Life is part of the Greater Boston Food Bank network of agencies. Lost more than 2.8 million meals worth of USDA food due to federal spending cuts.
• Colarusso's BakeryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStoneham bakery providing treats for Just Desserts fundraising event.
• Cupcake CityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReading bakery providing treats for Just Desserts fundraising event.
• Modern PastryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides treats for Just Desserts fundraising event.
• Stop & ShopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple locations (Medford, Malden) providing treats for Just Desserts fundraising events.
• Whole Foods MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMelrose location providing treats for Just Desserts fundraising events.
• Encore Boston HarborminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides treats for Just Desserts fundraising events and donated prize for walk fundraiser raffle (1 night stay and dinner for 2 at Rare Steakhouse).
• Winchester Co-operative BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Just Desserts event and walk fundraising events.
• Project BreadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizers of The Walk for Hunger. Bread of Life has a team participating; 60% of funds raised come to Bread of Life, 40% to Project Bread's hunger advocacy work.
• Run Club of MaldenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizes 'Wobble Before You Gobble' 5K race and Kids' Dash fundraiser benefiting Bread of Life.
• Bike to the SeaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizes Cranksgiving Food Drive benefiting Bread of Life.
• Idle Hands Craft BreweryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted Bread O'Life Pre-St. Patrick's Day Celebration fundraiser.
• Howie Newman / Knock on WoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual benefit concerts featuring piano music, with portion of donations going to Bread of Life.
• Project Ezra and Jewish CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsors of Christmas Day Dinner along with Dr. Ed & Dr. Jon Weiner & Friends.
• CMBG3 Law LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoordinates meal delivery requests for homebound individuals on Christmas Day. Contact: 617-279-8200.
• Giggles Comedy ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue for Comedy Night benefit for Bread of Life building fund.
• Lafayette AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue for 7th Annual Jerry Twomey Memorial Pool Tournament fundraiser.
• Winchester Savings BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Benefit Concert for Bread of Life & Housing Families.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BreadOfLifeMalden
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bread-of-life-malden

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bread of Life