Arlington's DeAnne Dupont Named Patriots 'Difference Maker'

ARLINGTON, MA — Arlington resident DeAnne Dupont was named a 2019 Difference Maker of the Week by the New England Patriots, the team announced Nov. 27. Dupont co-founded Food Link, Inc. along with Julie Kremer in 2012. The nonprofit collects food from 26 different food donors, grocers, wholesalers, retailers and local farms and distributes it to 46 social service agencies in 15 communities.

Dupont and Kremer came up with the idea when they were at a cafe and saw employees throw away bread at the end of the day. The pair offered to take it to a local low-income senior housing facility, marking the first Food Link delivery. The nonprofit is open seven days a week, 363 days a year.

"I am deeply honored to receive this Patriots Difference Maker of the Week award," Dupont said in a statement. "Julie Kremer and I started Food Link seven years ago with a commitment to keeping fresh, nutritious food from being wasted while people were going hungry. Additionally, we wanted to prioritize bringing food to people, with dignity, by taking the food to places where they already live, learn, congregate and play."

Dupont volunteers more than 40 hours a week at Food Link and helps recruit and manage hundreds of volunteers, represents the organization at civic events, manages finances and fundraises throughout the year. The nonprofit rescued more than 550,000 pounds of food and helped more than 18,000 people in 2019.

"Food Link sits at the intersection of two issues I care deeply about – hunger and food waste," Dupont said. "I am proud that our team of dedicated volunteers will save from waste enough food to provide 500,000 meals in 2019."

Dupont is currently working on a capital campaign to open a new home for the nonprofit, which is expected to triple its impact on the community. She also volunteers with other organizations like Sustainable Arlington and manages community collections, serves as a town meeting member and is the treasurer of an assisted living facility.

"Though we started small in Arlington, Food Link has grown beyond our wildest dreams, and we are now providing food in communities all over eastern Massachusetts," Dupont said. "This award, although given to me, is truly a recognition of the whole Food Link community, including Julie, our volunteers and staff, and the recipient agencies that distribute the food to individuals in need."

Fifteen individuals will be named Patriots Difference Makers throughout the season. The volunteers will be recognized on the Patriots website and will be honored during a special ceremony at the Patriots final regular season home game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, December 29.

Fans are encouraged to nominate a local volunteer for the Patriots Difference Maker of the Week award by visiting www.patriots.com/community.