Help Us Help Our Neighbors

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.

The pantries are in need of non-perishable items, especially:

• 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!