History

Food has the ability to heal not just those living with a critical or chronic illness, but also the loved ones who care for them.

LifeSavor Award

Community Servings proudly presents the annual LifeSavor Award, honoring individuals who demonstrate unwavering support for our mission and dedication to our clients. This prestigious accolade recognizes those who significantly advance our work in providing nutritious meals to individuals and families living with critical and chronic illnesses.

LifeSavor Award recipients embody the spirit of community service, making a profound impact on the lives of those we serve. Join us in celebrating these remarkable individuals who inspire us with their generosity and devotion.

Awardees

2024 – Barbara and Jim Conen, Mark Lippolt
2023 – Kevin Cranston, Mat Paisner, Scrub-a-Dub, Rep. Aaron Michlewitz
2022 – Robert Greenwald & Rachael Solem
2021 – Michela Larson & Mary-Catherine Deibel
2020 – Karen Bressler
2019 – Corby Kummer
2017 – Stephen J. Rioff & Sheila Decter
2016 – Wayne Olem
2015 – Phil Schneider, Carl Axelrod, Edward Hershfield, Brown Rudnick
2014 – Serge Denis
2013 – Barbara Jordan, Ron Ansin, Lois Silverman
2012 – Joan Parker, Anthony Corey

Photo Caption: 2023 Board Chair Peter Zane, Kevin Cranson, Mat Paisner, Tim Leahy, Chief Development Officer.

The Beginning

Community Servings was founded in 1990 by a diverse coalition of AIDS activists, faith groups, and community organizations to provide home-delivered meals to individuals living with HIV/AIDS through the leadership of the American Jewish Congress. At first, Community Servings delivered a hot dinner to 30 individuals struggling with HIV/AIDS in Dorchester and Roxbury.

Since then, Community Servings has evolved from a small neighborhood meals program to a regional program serving nutritionally tailored meals and providing nutrition education to thousands of people per year across Massachusetts — all of whom are unable to shop or cook for themselves or their families due to a critical illness.

Timeline

1990 – Established

LifeSavor & Pie in the Sky, Community Servings’ signature events, are born.

1999 – David B. Waters becomes CEO

1999 – Expansion to Somerville and Cambridge

2000 – Expansion to Chelsea and Everett

2003 – Expansion to Lynn

Mission expanded from serving individuals with HIV/AIDS to any critical or chronic illness.

2005 – Expansion to Brockton

2007 – Recipient of the Congressional Hunger Award

Moved from Roxbury location to Jamaica Plain, enabling us to increase meal capacity, expand nutrition services, & offer job training.

Teaching Kitchen job training program enrolls first class!

2009 – Recipient of the MA Nonprofit Network’s Innovation Award & Expansion to Lawrence

2011 – Expansion to Lowell

2012 – Expansion to Worcester

Recipient of the Mayor of Boston’s Sustainable Food Leadership Award

2014 – Creation of our food & health policy advocacy work

2015 – Expansion to Fitchburg and Leominster

2015 – Honored as a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder

2016 – 100,000th Meal Delivery to Worcester

Prepared and delivered our 7 Millionth meal!

Expansion to Rhode Island

Completion of new 31,000 square foot Food Campus in Jamaica Plain

Community Servings celebrates 30th anniversary

Medically Tailored Meals service expands statewide

Launched rapid response to COVID-19 pandemic. Prepared 30,000 extra meals for food-insecure neighbors in Boston

Food is the Foundation Capital Campaign comes to a close

9 Millionth Meal Made

Agency Awarded Research Grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Agency Awarded Second Research Grant from the NIH

Food is Medicine Accelerator Graduates 1st Cohort

Servings Direct, a self-pay version of our philanthropic meals program, is launched

10 Millionth Meal Made

Community Servings
179 Amory Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Phone: 617.522.7777
Fax: 617.522.7770

Give Back. Get Pie.

Now through 11/22, your purchase of a locally baked apple, pecan, or pumpkin Thanksgiving pie from Community Servings provides a week of meals for a neighbor in need. Order today to make a difference!

Learn more