March 19, 2025
Contact: Sandra Galvin
wellfleetpantry@gmail.com
774/722-3753
WELLFLEET, MA— Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has provided a $10,000 grant to the Wellfleet Food Pantry. In the letter notifying the Pantry, Danny Whitman, Executive Director, said in part, “We hope that this grant can help you, your families and your organization’s staff, clients and volunteers navigate the many challenges thrust upon us by the unsettled political landscape, and the community crises and personal needs created by a wide variety of health issues.”
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has awarded nearly $3 million to 148 food pantries, meal delivery services and congregate meal programs nationwide in 2025. These vital grants are made possible by the generosity of the theater community and audiences on Broadway, Off-Broadway and across the country. As described by Broadway Cares, a committee of dedicated Broadway actors, stage managers and crew members — all of whom played an integral role in Broadway Cares’ in-theater fall fundraising — thoroughly and thoughtfully reviewed each application, awarding the grants in February 2025.
Kevin McMahon, Wellfleet resident and Equity member, aware of Broadway Cares’ breadth of giving, encouraged the Pantry to apply for funds, and, in turn, helped Broadway Cares understand the importance of the Pantry’s mission. Learning of the grant, McMahon said, “Having supported Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS for many years and collected donations after performances across the country, I was well aware of the work that this organization was doing in communities throughout the country. When I saw the emergency situation at the Wellfleet Food Pantry, I was more than happy to point out this potential opportunity to them, and I am thrilled that they received funding. I believe many other Wellfleet residents with connections outside our community might discover similar funding sources for the Food Pantry.”
“The Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS Food Grant of $10,000 to our organization is a wonderful gift,” said Wellfleet Food Pantry Board President Sandy Galvin, expressing the Pantry’s gratitude. “For a small town of 3000 residents, Wellfleet is blessed with two equity theaters and many members of the association live here and participate in all aspects of our community. The donation will go a long way in helping the Pantry continue to provide nutritious food to Wellfleet residents finding it harder and harder to make ends meet,” she added.
This generous response also comes at a critical time as the Pantry continues its quest to secure funding for a permanent space adjacent to the Wellfleet Adult Community Center. The grant follows an initial $2,500 grant in 2024 and was accompanied by encouragement to apply for similar grants in the future.
About Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a major Actors’ Equity philanthropy based in New York, helps provide lifesaving medications, health care, nutritious meals, counseling and emergency financial assistance to people in need. Since its founding in 1988, the organization has raised over $300 million in charitable contributions through a variety of events, outreach work and ongoing collection of donations from theatergoers across the country. For more information go to info@broadwaycares.org
About the Wellfleet Food Pantry.
The Wellfleet Food Pantry is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has been serving the community since 1999. Providing nutritious food, fish, meats, personal care and household items, it functions as a mini grocery store for residents who need assistance to help ease financial burdens in difficult times. Affiliated with the Lower Cape Outreach Council, and staffed entirely by volunteers, the Pantry relies solely on community support and donations to ensure that those families and individuals can put food on their tables. For more information log on to www.wellfleetfoodpantry.org.
