Stamp Out Hunger Drive a Big Success for the Food Pantry

Thanks to the generosity of the Wakefield community, volunteers, supporters and, of course, the letter carriers, the 2014 Stamp Out Hunger drive was a success.  The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry collected 317 bins of items which is about 6 tons of food to stock the pantry shelves.

“What an amazing effort from our Wakefield community and letter carriers.  There were also close to 100 volunteers helping throughout the day, including Boy Scouts, the Warrior Club, and many others,” said Maureen Miller, Director of Operations for the food pantry.

For over thirty years, the food pantry has been focused on eliminating hunger in Wakefield by providing a variety of food and other items to those in need.  Approximately 530 households rely on the food pantry for supplemental food and groceries.  About 900 people are served each month including more than 330 children of which more than half are under the age of 12. 

Monetary donations are also greatly needed and appreciated.  At the Americal Civic Center, the pantry has appropriate storage to utilize the extensive bulk purchasing power of the Greater Boston Food Bank  - enabling pantry volunteers to obtain additional food at very low cost. In fact, with a one-dollar donation, the food pantry can purchase more than four dollars worth of food for our neighbors in need.

Non-perishable food can be dropped off at the pantry at the Americal Civic Center (lower level) on 467 Main Street in Wakefield, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Also, Saturday food drives are often held from 10 a.m. to noon both at the pantry and other locations around Wakefield.

For more information about the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry and a list of most needed items, please visit www.wakefieldfoodpantry.org.