An Arlington
resident and real estate professional for nearly 40 years,
Steve McKenna was eager to help families in his
community with limited access to sufficient and
nutritious food when he discovered Arlington EATS,
a local non-profit organization that strives
to eliminate food insecurity in
Arlington. Steve introduced the Home Advantage
Team to the cause, and for seven years, Annie Kelly, Tracy Wallace, Michael Pallotta, Mark Garbino, Kristen McKenna, Mitzi Pallotta, and Elizabeth Davenport have
been dedicated to helping Arlington EATS fulfill its
mission.
Read as the team reflects on their
meaningful experiences, memorable moments, and the
profound fulfillment they gain through their contributions to
the organization.
Tell us about your involvement with
Arlington EATS. What initially inspired you to get involved
with this organization? How long have you been
involved?
Through generous donations and the work of volunteers,
Arlington EATS distributes over 12,000 pounds of food to 350
households each week. Our team has been involved with
Arlington EATS for over seven years. Steve was initially
inspired to get involved after recognizing the need to address food
insecurity. Although Arlington may not typically be associated with
food insecurity, there are many local families facing hunger. Steve
was eager to help, ultimately introducing the entire Home Advantage
Team to the cause. We know Arlington EATS is a great program and a
necessary one for the town and its residents.
Can you share any favorite memories from your
work with Arlington EATS? What are some of the challenges
you’ve faced?
While we have many great memories working with
Arlington EATS, we always look forward to their yearly fundraising
event: Beats for EATS. The event is typically held in the
spring and features performances by two local bands as well
as a silent auction. Those who are passionate about pouring
back into the community come together for a night of fun and
fundraising.
We’re lucky to say we have not faced any
challenges while working with Arlington EATS. The organization is
always flexible and easy to work with. Most importantly, Arlington
EATS truly understands the community’s needs and how best to
address them.
As busy real estate
professionals focused on philanthropic giving, how do you stay
engaged throughout the year?
We stay in contact with Arlington EATS and are always
looking for ways to contribute, whether that is volunteering
our time or financial assistance. Giving back to the community is
always at the forefront of our minds and is a core tenet of our
team’s mission. It’s easy to stay engaged when it’s a
driving passion of ours.
Do you have any recommendations for those
considering taking a deeper dive into
philanthropy?
Finding an organization or cause you can relate to
makes it easy and fun to engage with the community. Furthermore,
it’s always okay to give whatever you have at the
moment, whether that’s time or monetary or in-kind
donations. A few hours of your time or a few cans of food can make
a big difference in your community.
Steve McKenna and the Home Advantage
Team | 1010
Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington
| 781.645.0505
| YourHomeForSale@GibsonSIR.com
To learn more about Arlington EATS and how you can
get involved, visit arlingtoneats.org.