Patriots Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett (far left) and Gillette’s VP of Communications & Community Affairs, Global Grooming, Kara Buckley congratulate Barbara Costas from the Enfield Food Shelf for being selected as a 2025 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winner. During the June 3 luncheon, the Kraft family, the Patriots Foundation and Gillette awarded $275,000 in grants to 26 New England nonprofits. The Enfield Food Shelf received a $10,000 grant in honor of Barbara’s volunteer efforts.
Photo credit: Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots
ENFIELD — For more than five decades, Barbara Costas has been a tireless force behind the Enfield Food Shelf, a community organization dedicated to alleviating hunger in Enfield and surrounding areas. This year, Costas’ unwavering commitment was recognized in a big way — by the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards, a prestigious program sponsored by the New England Patriots Foundation that honors volunteers making a significant difference in their communities.
Costas was one of only 26 honorees selected from hundreds of nominations across New England. Each recipient’s organization received a $10,000 donation, including Enfield Food Shelf, where Costas has volunteered since co-founding it over 50 years ago.
“I feel both humbled and proud,” Costas said. “Humble as the Enfield Food Shelf has grown so much in the more than 50 years since I helped start the program. So many volunteers have put in great effort building this organization throughout the years. I am proud of the great job everyone has done to support the community and proud God has blessed me with good health so I can keep doing my part for another year.”
The recognition came with a VIP experience at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. “We were given a delicious lunch and then were each honored with pictures and a personalized football in addition to the donation of $10,000 to each winner’s project,” Costas shared. “Bob Kraft made a point of meeting and congratulating me personally, which was very kind of him. After more pictures, we were able to go to the Lighthouse at Gillette Stadium — where we could see the whole stadium and as far as Boston. We were treated like VIPs all day.”
Kathleen Souvigny, executive director of the Enfield Food Shelf, noted how critical this donation is. “The generous donation Enfield Food Shelf is receiving from the Myra Kraft Foundation will provide the equivalent of more than 40,000 meals to individuals and families in need throughout the community. This support comes at a critical time.”
“In 2024 alone, Enfield Food Shelf distributed the equivalent of 713,000 meals and supported more than 3,000 individuals,” she added. “Early indicators in 2025 suggest an even greater need, with a growing number of new families seeking help. This donation provides a significant boost and helps Enfield Food Shelf continue to deliver food and essential supplies to those experiencing food insecurity. We are so thankful to Barbara and to the Myra Kraft Foundation for this support.”
For Costas, the most meaningful part of her long-standing work remains the people. “Through the years, I have worked with and served hundreds and I get a lot of love from so many of them every time I am out in public. So much love!”
Souvigny added, “Barbara is an amazing example of the impact one person can make in the lives of so many people. If her story inspires you, honor Barbara and the many volunteers who are the backbone of nonprofit organizations like Enfield Food Shelf by considering a tribute gift in the name of a volunteer you know.”
To find out more about Enfield Food Shelf or donate, visit Enfieldfoodshelf.org or call 860-741-7321.
