Paulist Center Groups Emergency Food Pantry
"I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat" -- Matthew 25:35
As you have probably noticed the appeal for food is a weekly affair. The reason: the demand is constant. In earlier years, the pantry could be stocked by an occasional bulletin notice; but no longer. Even when the food donated on Sunday has been augmented by collections taken up by schools, universities, and other groups, the supply usually does not meet the demand. As a result, The Paulist Center has become a member of the Greater Boston Food Bank to supply us with additional food for a nominal fee. Three volunteer shoppers, Tom Donovan, Bill Redmond and Raoul Vincent make monthly visits.
The food pantry is located on the first floor, two doors down from the reception area. There, Sally Sliker or Kevin Ferguson spend one and one-half hours on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (2-3:30 PM) distributing food that another volunteer, Mary Burke, has previously shelved. One visit for one grocery bag a month is the operating guideline. We are now giving out bags of groceries that feed over 200 people a month.
The people who need the pantry come for a variety of reasons. They work for minimum wages or live on some governmental assistance that may have been reduced. Some on minimum wages feed children as well as themselves. Money runs out before the month runs out. They are formerly homeless persons getting back on their feet. Some are unemployed. Others are elderly or disabled with fixed and limited resources such as Social Security. Some just don't make enough to pay rent and buy food.
Many people learn of the pantry from friends. Some are referred by neighboring churches and social service agencies; we are one of the few food pantries around that is open to anyone. The Wednesday Night Supper volunteers tell our guests about it.
We have a pretty good idea of what people can use. It is almost impossible to have too much:
- tuna and mayonnaise
- canned fruit and vegetables
- peanut butter and jelly/jam
- dry milk, and juice boxes
- beef stew, ravioli, chili
- spaghetti sauce
- boxed cereal
- canned beans and baked beans
- soup and packaged macaroni and cheese (in winter especially)
Pasta products move rather slowly. Surprisingly, there is almost no demand for baby food, dried beans, clear broths and "cooking soups" such as mushroom soup. Cranberry sauce, pumpkin and similar seasonal products, and uncommon foods sit on the shelf for a very long time as well.
One basic rule: the less cooking required, the better Another: the more familiar, the better. We are restricted to using non-perishable and pre-packaged food because of health concerns.
The Pantry is important as we work to live out the Biblical call to feed the hungry and reach out to our neighbors.
Sincere thanks to all who keep the food pantry supplied. Without you, there would be empty shelves and more hungry people seeking food.