Reading Food Pantry: Fighting hunger together this September
(3-4 minute read)
Even in a state with abundant resources, hunger remains a serious challenge. According to the Greater Boston Food Bank, one in three residents in eastern Massachusetts experiences food insecurity — a figure that has remained steady for three consecutive years. Here in Reading, the Pantry is working every day to meet that need while building connections that strengthen my community.
September marks Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign led by Feed America to raise awareness and inspire solutions to hunger. “Although hunger is a big problem, there are solutions when we work together,” said Simone Payment, Executive Director of the Reading Food Pantry. Residents can support the effort in many ways: by donating directly at ReadingFoodPantry.org, supporting the Greater Boston Food Bank (from which the Pantry sources part of its food supply), or simply spreading the word to friends and neighbors about the very real problem of hunger in our town.
Photo provided by the Reading Food Pantry.
The Pantry is also launching an exciting new program thanks to a grant from the Greater Boston Food Bank. With a newly outfitted kitchen at Old South, including a commercial refrigerator, freezer, and range, volunteers will soon be able to turn donated foods into healthy, ready-to-go options. Zucchini can be transformed into zucchini bread, blemished fruit into fruit salad, and leftover vegetables into hearty soups. For neighbors who visit the pantry, this will mean fresh, home-cooked choices alongside traditional grocery items. For community members who love to cook, it offers a new opportunity to volunteer in meaningful and creative ways.
Convenience is also key to sustaining the Pantry’s mission - the Amazon Wishlist program has become a favorite among donors. Each month, staff curate a list (available on the website and the Pantry’s Facebook page) of most-needed items that can be purchased quickly and delivered directly to the Pantry’s door. The recent switch to Amazon’s Baby Registry format even allows staff to see who donated, making it possible to send personal thank-you notes. This small change has had a big impact, as many generous residents enjoy the ease of giving in this way.
Photo provided by the Reading Food Pantry.
Of course, the heart of the Pantry is its volunteers, who do far more than stock shelves. On two Wednesdays each month, for example, a dedicated team organizes deliveries to neighbors who are unable to visit the Pantry in person. What began during COVID-19 as a temporary measure has grown into a program that now serves 37 households. Volunteers not only fill grocery orders, but also build relationships with the people they serve. “It is so important to support everyone in our community,” said Deb, one volunteer. Peggy, another, added, “I’m retired from nursing and no longer have childcare responsibilities. It was time for me to do something to help others.” For many recipients, these relationships are just as meaningful as the groceries delivered to their doors.
Partnerships with local businesses also make a huge difference. Twice a week, volunteers from The Food Drive in Melrose arrive with boxes of fresh produce donated by Calareso’s Farm Stand and Garden Center. Tomatoes, apples, peaches, mangoes, green beans, and more are sorted into bins for neighbors to take home. “The best way to end hunger is to start locally,” said Jana Gimenez, who co-founded The Food Drive. “Our volunteers are thrilled to deliver beautiful surplus produce from Calareso’s to the Reading Food Pantry just 1.4 miles up Main Street.”
The impact of these efforts is perhaps best captured in the words of one neighbor.
“The Food Pantry means having food shame-free even when our pockets are empty. Kids never have to know the struggle.”
Photo provided by the Reading Food Pantry.
Every smile, every full bag, and every warm hug at the Reading Food Pantry happens because of community support. As Hunger Action Month reminds us, hunger is a challenge, but it is one that can be solved when neighbors come together.
