September is Hunger Awareness and Action Month. State Representative David Biele is running a food drive to support the South Boston Community Health Food Center and St. Monica's Food Pantry.
- Pasta
- Rice
- Cereal
- Tuna and canned meats
- Peanut butter
- Beans
- Mac-n-cheese
If you are able, please bring a non-perishable food donation to our September 30th Gathering from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Community Work Lounge at 15 Necco Street.
South
Boston Community Health Center Food Panty
In 2008, Dr.
Nisha Thakrar, a pediatrician at South Boston Community Health Center
approached the CEO, Bill Halpin, with a concern. She had patients who weren’t
making it to the end of the month with their food supply. She had several moms
who had to make the choice to forgo a meal so their children could eat. Such
was the beginning of the South Boston Community Health Center’s Food Pantry
which embraced the “Food is Medicine” belief among the medical community.
Over the
past year, the food pantry has had visits from over 1400 households feeding
approximately 3000 people. It serves a variety of people – large families,
single parents and seniors. Clients visit the pantry every other week.
The food
pantry receives 90% of their food from the Greater Boston Food Bank.
While there is a large amount of food that is of no cost at the GBFB (they are
allowed to pick up twice a month) the Health Center spent $9400 in 2024 to
supplement from other sources as no one is turned away from the food
pantry.
Current needs include non-perishables such as pasta, rice, cereal, tuna, peanut butter. The pantry also has a new produce refrigerator that we can accept anything - tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, squash, etc. and has the capacity for frozen meats.
St.
Monica's Food Pantry
Monica’s
Kitchen, is opened to all South Boston Residents. The pantry is open to
shop every Thursday from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Clients may choose the items
that we have available. Food selections are typically, Juice, Milk,
Beans, Rice, Sauce, Pasta, Rice, Mac-n-Cheese, Cereal, tuna/canned chicken,
meat, and bread. In addition to the staples, they try to order as much
fresh produce or vegetables as possible.
Ninety
percent of their food comes from the Greater Boston Food Bank. The pantry
is allowed to order every other week and their weight limit is 8,000
pounds. When available, they are also able to order full pallets.
Pallets usually consist of prepared meal boxes, pasta, and some fresh
vegetables.
The pantry serves about 250 to 300 people/families weekly.
Together, we can help fight hunger in our community!
