Photos: Women’s Lunch Place 35th Anniversary Spaghetti Dinner

Check out scenes from the October 19, 2018, event at Fairmont Copley Plaza.


On Friday, October 19, 2018, Women’s Lunch Place celebrated the 35th anniversary of the founding of the shelter with 445 guests attending the annual Spaghetti Dinner. This evening honored Anne and David Bromer, devoted champions of Women’s Lunch Place for over 21 years.

Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston provided a wonderful setting for this lively, family style dinner. In Spaghetti Dinner tradition, table hosts donned chef’s jackets & hats and served spaghetti, meatballs, and a variety of delicious toppings. An irresistible silent auction and raffle added to the evening’s entertainment, and the WLP Young Professionals hosted an After Party with dessert and dancing. Over $535,000 was raised to support vital services and programs of Women’s Lunch Place.

For 35 years, Women’s Lunch Place has effectively responded to the challenges facing women experiencing poverty and homelessness. They care for every vulnerable woman with dignity and foster her resilience, while offering opportunities for her to choose a path forward.

This year, WLP served over 106,201 meals and provided assistance to over 1,400 women. This annual dinner is critical to ensuring that Women’s Lunch Place can continue to meet the increasing requests for help from women in need.

Photography by Keiko Hiromi

Brian Carty and Mary Carty, Vice Chair of WLP Board

Eileen Hsü Balzer, Spaghetti Dinner Co-Chair; Sally Bachman, Spaghetti Dinner Co-Chair and Anne Bromer, honoree

Sally Bachman, Spaghetti Dinner Co-Chair; Kay Calvert, WLP Board Chair; Mayor Marty Walsh; Eileen Hsü Balzer, Spaghetti Dinner Co-Chair; Elizabeth Keeley, WLP Executive Director; Anne Bromer, Honoree

Jim Manzi; Kay Calvert, WLP Board Chair; Sally Bachman, Spaghetti Dinner Co-Chair and Jeb Bachman

Eddie Downes and Eileen Reilly Women’s Lunch Place Founder

Guest Pat Peterson serving guests of honorees Anne & David Bromer

Chef Jody Adams of Porto and Chef Sherry Hughes of Women’s Lunch Place

Spaghetti Dinner Guests posing

Women’s Lunch Place Executive Director Elizabeth Keeley

Auctioneer Mary Flannery