Who We Are
As we celebrate 40 years of fighting hunger in Lawrence, we realize how far we’ve come. The Bread & Roses legacy began in 1980, when Sisters Mary Marra and Peggy Duddy of St. Mary’s witnessed a rise of homelessness in Lawrence and were moved to respond. Inspired by the Catholic Workers’ commitment to love one's neighbors as oneself by offering help to those in need - they were driven by the conviction that no one should experience hardship and isolation. Decades later, this commitment endures as the cornerstone of our mission - to offer assistance to all who seek it - regardless of residential status, sobriety, faith or country of origin.
What We Do
Bread & Roses is a community kitchen serving Lawrence, Massachusetts and the greater Merrimack Valley. Founded in 1980, our mission is the nourishing of body and soul to thousands most at-risk with dignity and respect. We strive to meet essential life, health and safety needs of those we serve through evening meals, case management, community food outreach, pantry services and walk-in health services. All in need have access to our services free of charge - regardless their residential, legal or income status.
Bread & Roses is driven by and for the community - a collaborative network of guests, volunteers, staff, and supporters. The core group of supporters from our beginnings remain active. We’re passion heavy and administratively light - the successful leveraging of goods and services saving thousands of dollars yearly. Since we do not receive Federal or State funding, we rely on the generosity of our network of dedicated volunteers and community partners to keep our mission thriving. More than 1,600 volunteer hours are logged every month, and less than $9,000 is spent on food annually.
Bread & Roses partners with more than 30 agencies, including the Merrimack Valley and Greater Boston Food Banks, Neighbors in Need, House of Mercy, Lazarus House Ministries, Vinfen, the YWCA and the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center - in addition to a steady influx of food and supplies from businesses, community groups and wholesalers across the Merrimack Valley.
