LYNN — Two of the biggest comedians in the country will give out laughs for a good cause; a benefit for My Brother’s Table in Lynn.
Stand-up comedian and former “Saturday Night Live” head writer John Mulaney announced the fundraiser show, on May 6 at the Wilbur in Boston, on his social media accounts Tuesday afternoon. Also appearing is “SNL” cast member Pete Davidson, according to the announcement. Mulaney said his “nana” has volunteered her time feeding the homeless at the soup kitchen for decades. All of the ticket proceeds will go directly to the Lynn non-profit.
Carolyn Stanton, Mulaney’s “nana” and current Marblehead resident, said her family has volunteered with My Brother’s Table for years.
“We just want the focus to be on My Brother’s Table and how amazing they are as an organization,” Stanton said Tuesday. “Lots of other people and families do things and fundraise for them, so my family isn’t more special than anyone else. My Brother’s Table, they’re the special ones.”
Founded in 1982, the Lynn non-profit is the largest soup kitchen on the North Shore. It has served more than 3 million hot, free meals to men, women, and children in need. The organization also provides meals to homebound individuals and at-risk seniors, takes part in a family dinner program, and hosts a free weekly medical clinic.
Dianne Kuzia Hills, executive director of My Brother’s Table, said it all “happened really fast.” As a small non-profit that receives no financial help from the government, she said it relies solely on private fundraising.
Mulaney, who won an Emmy for his stand-up special “Kid Gorgeous At Radio City,” and Davidson, the youngest cast member in “SNL” history, will give every dollar raised at the show to My Brother’s Table and Kuzia Hills said the money will go to its operating costs.
Last year, the soup kitchen served more than 186,000 meals. They are on track to provide 200,000 more meals this year, so the help from Mulaney is expected to help tremendously.
“Even the social media attention from this has been huge,” Kuzia Hills said. “People get to hear our name, see the work we do, and they are able to learn everything about us.”
Not only has Stanton volunteered her time at My Brother’s Table, but her children and several of her grandchildren have as well. One of Mulaney’s cousins will be appointed to the organization’s Board of Directors later this year, according to Kuzia Hills.
“Their family means a lot to us,” Kuzia Hills said. “They love us and we really love them.”
