Our Donors
The Dolan/MacDonald Family
For the Dolan family, supporting food security is in their blood.
Charles “Bud” Dolan was one of the first supporters of Our Neighbors' Table, volunteering at the weekly meal a year after the organization was founded in 1992. Mary, his wife, supported the organization through donations, particularly items like diapers and food for babies.
And while each has passed, their legacies live on through their children and grandchildren.
"Both experienced food insecurity growing up, and for them it was very personal and they wanted to make a difference," says Charlene McDonald, their daughter.
Today, Charlene Dolan and her husband John MacDonald, of Amesbury, and their family are among ONT's biggest supporters, donating to the annual campaign and Sponsoring and Serving at the weekly meal. Charlene has also named ONT a beneficiary in her estate plan, a very tax-efficient way to leave money to a non-profit.
Her children, John and Charlene MacDonald, both volunteered for ONT since they were kids and still hold ONT near and dear to their hearts.
"It was important to my parents that we appreciated what we had and didn't take things for granted," Charlene says. "Same for my children - they know other people need to be supported."
The Dolans have provided additional support for the Seacoast Regional Food Hub, which will expand infrastructure to help more people in need.
"The fact that it extends the services to a much larger group and gives us the opportunity to bring in more resources is huge," Charlene says. "Having central distribution will make a big difference."
Charles “Bud” Dolan was one of the first supporters of Our Neighbors' Table, volunteering at the weekly meal a year after the organization was founded in 1992. Mary, his wife, supported the organization through donations, particularly items like diapers and food for babies.
And while each has passed, their legacies live on through their children and grandchildren.
"Both experienced food insecurity growing up, and for them it was very personal and they wanted to make a difference," says Charlene McDonald, their daughter.
Today, Charlene Dolan and her husband John MacDonald, of Amesbury, and their family are among ONT's biggest supporters, donating to the annual campaign and Sponsoring and Serving at the weekly meal. Charlene has also named ONT a beneficiary in her estate plan, a very tax-efficient way to leave money to a non-profit.
Her children, John and Charlene MacDonald, both volunteered for ONT since they were kids and still hold ONT near and dear to their hearts.
"It was important to my parents that we appreciated what we had and didn't take things for granted," Charlene says. "Same for my children - they know other people need to be supported."
The Dolans have provided additional support for the Seacoast Regional Food Hub, which will expand infrastructure to help more people in need.
"The fact that it extends the services to a much larger group and gives us the opportunity to bring in more resources is huge," Charlene says. "Having central distribution will make a big difference."
David Ives & Pam Burch
David Ives and Pam Burch want philanthropy to not only be a focus of their retirement years, but as a family legacy.
The Burch Ives Family Charitable Foundation was started in 2019 and two of the five trustees are the couples’ grown sons – Graham and Spencer. The Foundation supports a range of causes, but an area of specific interest is food security in their own communities.
For the Burch Ives Foundation, that has led to generous support of Our Neighbors’ Table through an annual grant over the past several years. When they heard about the Seacoast Regional Food Hub, they saw its potential and donated to the capital campaign from both their foundation and personal funds.
“The Seacoast Regional Food Hub project appeals to us precisely because it ambitiously pursues solutions to a vexing regional challenge,” Ives said. “That ambition is worthy of our additional support. Because we know that when this campaign concludes it will have addressed a vital need for the Lower Merrimack Valley to end food insecurity.”
Ives, who ran an international insurance consulting firm, says the hub checks all 3 boxes in developing a solution to a problem – viability, scalability and sustainability.
“At this time, in this part of the country, we have an abundance of resources,” David Ives says. “Food insecurity should not be a problem. There has to be ways to solve it.”
The Burch Ives Family Charitable Foundation was started in 2019 and two of the five trustees are the couples’ grown sons – Graham and Spencer. The Foundation supports a range of causes, but an area of specific interest is food security in their own communities.
For the Burch Ives Foundation, that has led to generous support of Our Neighbors’ Table through an annual grant over the past several years. When they heard about the Seacoast Regional Food Hub, they saw its potential and donated to the capital campaign from both their foundation and personal funds.
“The Seacoast Regional Food Hub project appeals to us precisely because it ambitiously pursues solutions to a vexing regional challenge,” Ives said. “That ambition is worthy of our additional support. Because we know that when this campaign concludes it will have addressed a vital need for the Lower Merrimack Valley to end food insecurity.”
Ives, who ran an international insurance consulting firm, says the hub checks all 3 boxes in developing a solution to a problem – viability, scalability and sustainability.
“At this time, in this part of the country, we have an abundance of resources,” David Ives says. “Food insecurity should not be a problem. There has to be ways to solve it.”
Jack & Jayne Weston, Newburyport
Jack and Jayne Weston of Newburyport have committed their time and treasure in their retirement years to helping families and individuals with the greatest needs, and they agreed that supporting food security with Our Neighbors’ Table was a great place to start.
The couple are Patron Investors in the Seacoast Regional Food Hub and have spent many hours volunteering.
Jayne’s relationship with ONT started more than 20 years ago when she volunteered at the Community Meal, and she returned to help ONT with phone orders during the pandemic.
Retired from a 40-year technology and entrepreneur career, Jack now helps several charitable organizations, including helping ONT and Seacoast Food Providers build their network to maximize the impact of Food Hub.
Jack is lending his expertise because he sees the impact the Food Hub will have.
“The Seacoast Regional Food Hub will transform the way food insecurity is addressed in our region,” Jack said. “It’s a big, multi-faceted project with significant financial, logistical and organizational challenges. I like big challenges that test my skills and enjoy the self satisfaction that comes with having a hand in an effort of this magnitude.”
For those considering getting involved, he says this is the time to do it.
“There are many ways to contribute to the success of this project including fundraising, warehouse logistics, Seacoast Food Provider collaboration and more,” Jack says. “Whatever your skills may be, there’s a high probability that ONT will have a role for you and appreciate you lending a hand.”
The couple are Patron Investors in the Seacoast Regional Food Hub and have spent many hours volunteering.
Jayne’s relationship with ONT started more than 20 years ago when she volunteered at the Community Meal, and she returned to help ONT with phone orders during the pandemic.
Retired from a 40-year technology and entrepreneur career, Jack now helps several charitable organizations, including helping ONT and Seacoast Food Providers build their network to maximize the impact of Food Hub.
Jack is lending his expertise because he sees the impact the Food Hub will have.
“The Seacoast Regional Food Hub will transform the way food insecurity is addressed in our region,” Jack said. “It’s a big, multi-faceted project with significant financial, logistical and organizational challenges. I like big challenges that test my skills and enjoy the self satisfaction that comes with having a hand in an effort of this magnitude.”
For those considering getting involved, he says this is the time to do it.
“There are many ways to contribute to the success of this project including fundraising, warehouse logistics, Seacoast Food Provider collaboration and more,” Jack says. “Whatever your skills may be, there’s a high probability that ONT will have a role for you and appreciate you lending a hand.”
Joel & Caitlin Bevis
For Joel and Caitlin Bevis of Newburyport, their investment in building food security has steadily grown over the last several years.
Founders and partners of Breakpoint Advisors, a national commercial real estate company, the Bevis' first connected with ONT in 2019 through friends who were already members of the ONT community. For them, ONT bridged an important gap for people in need.
Donations to the general fund evolved to rolling ONT into their business’s giving by providing sponsorship for the Annual Breakfast. When they saw the huge potential the Seacoast Regional Food Hub holds for the region, they chose to become Principal Investors in the Capital Campaign.
“It’s really exciting that ONT will be able to expand what it offers,” Joel Bevis said. “The idea of hunger is troubling to imagine, and I’m hopeful we’ll get to a point in our corner of Massachusetts to make it a thing of the past.”
Founders and partners of Breakpoint Advisors, a national commercial real estate company, the Bevis' first connected with ONT in 2019 through friends who were already members of the ONT community. For them, ONT bridged an important gap for people in need.
Donations to the general fund evolved to rolling ONT into their business’s giving by providing sponsorship for the Annual Breakfast. When they saw the huge potential the Seacoast Regional Food Hub holds for the region, they chose to become Principal Investors in the Capital Campaign.
“It’s really exciting that ONT will be able to expand what it offers,” Joel Bevis said. “The idea of hunger is troubling to imagine, and I’m hopeful we’ll get to a point in our corner of Massachusetts to make it a thing of the past.”
Pledged Investors
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Lead Investors
Greater Boston Food Bank USDA Ward J Cromer Charitable Trust US Dept of Housing & Urban Development Vania O'Connor Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation Barbara O'Connor Newburyport Bank Charitable Foundation SPS New England |
Champion Investors
MA Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program Nathaniel and Elizabeth Stevens Foundation George C. Wadleigh Foundation Commonweath of MA Kevin Murphy Rogers Family Foundation Patron Investors Patricia Levitt Burch Ives Family Charitable Foundation BankProv Breakpoint Advisors John and Jayne Weston Edward S. and Winifred G. Moseley Foundation |
General Investors
Michael and Linda Jones Shauna and Matt Pieniazek In memory of Nana and Papa Dolan Ralph Castagna Jessa and Tim Haynes Osterman Family Foundation Yawkey Foundation Didax Educational Resources James Brown and Cynthia Hickey Eve Lee Hilda and Charles Parrott Steven and Jean Berger Shane and Alissa Cough Stephen Lynch Tara and Doug Moran Michelle and John Morris John and Lisa Reppucci Marie van Luling Alec and Anne White |