Woman´s Lunch Place

Dignity is everything

GOVERNOR PATRICK COLLECTS ON BET MADE WITH GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER

July 14, 2008

The Women's Lunch Place

on the Winning End of a Friendly Wager

 

BOSTON - July 14, 2008 - On Friday, July 18, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick will visit The Women's Lunch Place to collect on the bet he and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made as a result of the outcome of the NBA finals.

The battle of the gubernatorial bets was won last month when the Boston Celtics thrashed the Los Angeles Lakers to take home their first NBA title in 22 years. Governor Patrick and Governor Schwarzenegger agreed to a swap of goods to go to their charity of choice. If Boston won, the California Governor would donate locally grown California food to the charity of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's choice. If the Lakers had prevailed, Boston's Legal Seafood would have donated 17 pounds of clam chowder to the organization chosen by Schwarzenegger on behalf of Governor Patrick.

Governor Patrick chose, The women's Lunch Place as his charity of choice and today, the California Governor fulfilled his part of the promise when The Women's Lunch Place received a package of California oranges, raisins, assorted cheeses, nuts, and freshly cut flowers, produced from merchants and farms in the state of California.

"I'm so glad we can share these winnings with the Women's Lunch Place," said Governor Patrick. "The work the staff and volunteers do to assist women and children in need is so important to our community and I thank each of them for their service."

Sharon Reilly, Executive Director of The Women's Lunch Place says with the rising cost of food, this wager makes a difference.

"We are certainly delighted that Governor Patrick chose The Women's Lunch Place as his favorite charity. When you consider the rising the cost of food, our food prices are up 35% over the last three months, so it is significant to us that this donation impacts our bottom line. Every lunch we serve at The Women's Lunch Place is a healthy lunch that consists of a fruit, veggie, protein and vegetarian option, so we believe that the bet means poor and homeless women in Boston win!"

Located in the Back Bay of Boston, The Women's Lunch Place has been serving Boston's poor and homeless women for over 25 years. It is one of the few places where these women can find safety, comfort and sustenance during the day. The community provides a nutritious breakfast and lunch as well as social, educational, wellness and advocacy services 6 days a week.

Reilly says the notoriety from this bet helps bring much needed attention to the plight of poor and homeless women. Especially since the number of women the shelter is serving is on the rise, up by 18% just in the last three months.

"Prior to this year we were serving 125 women per day for lunch, now that number is up to 170 per day and our numbers for breakfast have increased as well. Anytime the issues affecting homeless women are addressed it is a good thing. Food is a basic necessity of life. No one should go without it. Governor Patrick should be applauded for this."


For more information contact; Tracy Ann or Sharon Reilly, 617-267-1722

 

The Women's Lunch Place
(617) 267 1722
67 Newbury Street
Boston, MA, 02116