Growing up, Shannon O’Brien Healey, 42, of Hanover, learned from her parents that eating healthy food has a positive impact on one’s mental, emotional, and physical health, and the ability to choose your own ingredients and cook from scratch can make a lifetime of difference. Today, as the new Director of Foundation Relations at Project Bread, the leading statewide food security organization, O’Brien Healey is ensuring everyone has choice, dignity, and access when it comes to food.
O’Brien Healey brings more than 20 years of experience working in development, fundraising and communications at both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. In her new role, she will help foundations and businesses achieve the intended impact of their philanthropic activities through investment to advance Project Bread’s mission.
“Throughout my career, I have seen the larger implications that hunger can have on a family,” says O’Brien Healey. “Especially during the pandemic, I saw people facing expensive medical bills and caring for family members with health conditions on limited incomes amidst rising food costs. Project Bread’s work is important because it supports the day-to-day activities of connecting people to food resources, but – most importantly – we also work to enact long lasting change to end hunger in Massachusetts forever. It is a powerful, ambitious goal, and I’m excited to help rewrite the narrative for so many families across the Commonwealth.”
Prior to joining the Project Bread team, O’Brien Healey worked for seven years in the rare disease community, managing large-scale programs and fundraising initiatives to support children, adults, and families facing complex, life-limiting medical conditions. Through her work at the Jett Foundation and the Yaya Foundation for 4H Leukodystrophy, she engaged families to raise awareness, develop strong support networks and community programs, and to fundraise for research and support initiatives. Previously, she served as the Assistant Director of Foundation Relations at Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, where she raised funds for nine clubs throughout Boston, as well as the nonprofit’s city-wide youth violence prevention initiative, YouthConnect.
“Shannon is a mission-driven leader, bringing a wealth of experience in driving major social change through strategic philanthropic partnerships to Project Bread as we’re working to expand and deepen our impact,” shares Elizabeth Greenhalgh, Chief Advancement Officer at Project Bread. “Shannon is an incredible asset to our organization and the best person to build partnerships with foundations that seek to support people and communities directly while simultaneously working to solve hunger systemically.”
Thanks to her new role, O’Brien Healey will bring new perspective as she laces up for Project Bread’s 56th annual Walk for Hunger, having previously participated alongside her friends and family, who are similarly inspired by the grassroots activism and community-focus at the heart of Project Bread’s work. Individuals, families, businesses, and liked-minded organizations can join O’Brien Healey on Sunday, May 5, for the one-day celebration will raise more than $1.3 million to support the nonprofit’s year-round anti-hunger efforts.
To register as a participant, or to support a walker or team with a donation, visit projectbread.org/walk or email [email protected]. There is no registration fee or fundraising minimum to participate, although a $250 minimum goal is suggested. Participants who raise $500 or more are recognized as Heart & Sole walkers and receive access to personalized fundraising support, exclusive event gear and invitations to events.
People experiencing food insecurity should call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333), which provides confidential, free assistance getting connected to a variety of food resources in 180 languages and for the hearing impaired. Counselors can pre-screen families and help them to apply for SNAP. Learn more at www.projectbread.org/get-help.
Project Bread is the leading statewide food security organization in Massachusetts. Beginning in 1969 with the first Walk for Hunger, the nonprofit focuses on driving systemic change to ensure people of all ages have reliable access to healthy food. Project Bread works collaboratively across sectors to create innovative solutions to end hunger and improve lives across the Commonwealth. For more information, visit: www.projectbread.org.