Mother’s Day at Women’s Lunch Place

EVERY SPRING, a small card with a significant impact begins its journey across Boston and beyond. The Mother’s Day card campaign from Women’s Lunch Place (WLP) is more than a thoughtful gift; it’s a lifeline for women in need.

The story starts decades ago, when WLP dreamed of opening its shelter and advocacy center for one additional day: Mother’s Day. Staff wanted to honor their guests with a special meal, particularly for mothers and daughters with nowhere else to celebrate. But with tight resources, the staff needed a way to fund the extra day of service

BIRTH OF A TRADITION

The organization placed an ad in The Boston Globe that offered a novel idea: purchasing a Mother’s Day card to support the special feast. The Mother’s Day cards are made using illustrations created by guests of the center. Contributors can purchase cards for their own loved ones, while knowing their purchase supports Women’s Lunch Place. Orders flooded in that first year, and a tradition was born.

Open Monday through Saturday, Women’s Lunch Place still welcomes its guests one Sunday each year on Mother’s Day for a beautiful, multi-course meal––complete with tablecloths, fresh flowers and gift bags packed with self-care products.

“Mother’s Day is a perfect illustration of how our staff restores the dignity of women experiencing homelessness, hunger and poverty,” says Jennifer Hanlon Wigon, CEO of WLP. “Our team takes the time to welcome and get to know each guest, starting with her name. By beginning with a trusting relationship, we work together to overcome barriers to success for women facing the most impossible situations.”

The Mother’s Day cards themselves have taken on even greater meaning. Each card sold now funds a week of healthy, nutritious lunches for one woman—a vital contribution as the center faces unprecedented demand.

A TOTAL LIFESAVER

“Women’s Lunch Place is a total lifesaver,” says Eileen, a guest who became homeless after her home caught fire. “I don’t know what I would do without this place, because they serve very, very healthy, balanced, well-prepared meals. Very tasteful, very creative in their cuisine. If I had to feed myself, I would only have $9 for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

For the past five years, WLP has broken its annual record for meals served. The organization is on pace to break the record yet again with over 150,000 meals prepared by the end of this year. This prolonged surge reflects rising homelessness in Boston, which has increased by 67%, according to the research center at the Boston Foundation, alongside persistent food insecurity, grocery inflation and stagnating wages.

The card’s impact goes beyond the plate. For women on limited incomes, the choice is often between food, rent or other life necessities. When a guest’s hunger is met, she can pursue long-term goals through WLP’s advocacy and health-care services—whether that’s securing housing, enrolling in workforce development, securing benefits or addressing mental health by meeting with the center’s full-time therapist.

HOW TO LEND SUPPORT

Each year, hundreds of potential supporters learn about WLP’s mission by receiving a card, and tens of thousands of meals are funded. It’s a campaign that provides critical nutrition, uplifts the spirit and strengthens our community.

Cards can be purchased at www.mothersdaycards.org or in person at Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill. To deepen your impact, consider volunteering, becoming a corporate partner or making a gift to support women in need. Learn more at www.womenslunchplace.org.