President's Spotlight on Hunger

Dear Friends,

Gathering Change, Inc., invites all of you to come join us on Wednesday, October 10th, for the opening of "About Hunger and Resilience" at Endicott College, please see the article below for details.

Twenty two months ago Michael Nye said yes to letting us rent this exhibit.  Much has changed in our world, but hunger is still a serious issue in all of our communities. You do not have to look very far to see or to know someone who is hungry. 

This month we wanted to highlight the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry. They are currently serving 250 Wakefield families who visit twice a month and get 4 or 5 days worth of food. The food pantry distributes approximately 15,000 pounds of food each month. 

Maureen Miller, the Director said, "The availability of this food is made possible because of local food drives, The Greater Boston Food Bank and contributions from our supporters such as Gathering Change, Inc. There are many reasons people find themselves at our door; unforeseen medical bills, a lost job, a fixed income, rising fuel prices, etc. The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry is able to help those in need because of our generous community and supporters." Maureen is supported by 40 regular volunteers and at least another 100 that help out sporadically.
 
Thank you to Maureen Miller and everyone who volunteers at the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry. 

The next time you pass someone on the street...it may be someone who is hungry and probably someone you know. 

Gratefully yours,

Dorothy Goodwin, President 

The following are stories of people who have been affected by hunger and received assistance from the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry. The names have been changed to protect their privacy.

 Jim and Carole didn't think they would ever have to come to a Food Pantry. Recently retired and ready to enjoy this time in their lives, they were blindsided when their daughter-in-law (mother of their two grandchildren) passed away unexpectedly. Their son, already in danger of losing his job because of too much time off for medical reasons, needed to focus on paying medical bills so Jim & Carole agreed to take care of their two grandchildren. Already on a fixed income, and stretched thin with other emergency expenses there was not enough money to pay for basic items like food and shelter. The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry helped them get through his difficult time.

Tracey is a single mother of three young children. She has a high school education but no other training.   With the support of neighbors, she is able to work a few days a week cleaning houses. The money from that work, plus welfare assistance helps her get through most of the month. She comes to the Food Pantry towards the end of the month when food is running out or she has not received her welfare check. The stress in her life is somewhat alleviated because she knows that she can turn to the food pantry to help her feed her family.