A Unique Holiday Gift Idea: Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry Donations for Those on Your Shopping List

It seems like we just finish the last piece of pie at Thanksgiving and the holiday gift giving frenzy begins. Does your uncle need another tie?

·       Does your wife want more body lotion?

·       Does the teacher need another mug?

·       Does the neighbor look forward to more holiday candles?

·       Do you need more socks?

The holiday season is filled with joy, love, and …stress.  We are preoccupied with decorating, cooking, cleaning, and most of all-- shopping. Why not take a different approach?

For your loved ones, friends, neighbors, colleagues, teachers and any “hard to buy for” people on your list, please consider gifting a financial donation in their name to the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry. 

Even with all the magic and happiness of the season, many of our neighbors in Wakefield are struggling to make ends meet and find themselves experiencing food insecurity due to a variety of circumstances:  job loss, medical expenses, or a low fixed income.  They may come home to find very little in their cupboards and refrigerators to cook or eat.  Resources and safety nets that many people relied upon for help are being cut, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federally-funded nutrition program that offers food assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families.

Working together with our generous Wakefield community, we can support our neighbors in need and provide the “gift of giving” to those we care about during the season of giving and all year ‘round.  Plus, donations to the food pantry go a long way. With a donation of just $25, WIFP can access food valued at $100 from the Greater Boston Food Bank. 

You will find a variety of printable cards on the WIFP website:

http://www.wifoodpantry.org/wi_celebratehonor.html

You can use this to fill out and send to people on your shopping list letting them know that a donation to the food pantry has been made in their name. Then, make your donation payable to:  Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry, PO Box 1624, Wakefield, MA 01880. Or, you can make a secure donation online on the website.

As always, the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers at the food pantry appreciate the incredible generosity of the people of Wakefield.  We thank you for this support and wish you a wonderful holiday season and a very happy, healthy New Year.

Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry Featured in New Wakefield Life Magazine

The food pantry was featured in the December issue of the new Wakefield Life magazine. At this time the magazine is sent to 5,000 homes in Wakefield and contributors for free. If you didn't receive a copy you can sign up for an annual subscription for $27.99 by calling 800-929-3556.

Joint Food Drive With Wakefield Police and Citizens Scholarship Foundation: November 9, 2013

On Saturday, November 9^th, the Wakefield Police Department and the Citizens Scholarship Foundation will sponsor a joint food drive to benefit the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry.  Please drop non-perishable food donations between 10AM-Noon on Saturday at the Pantry, located at the Americal Civic Center (lower level) on Main St.  Financial donations are in need as we gear up for the holiday season. Please make your checks payable to the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry.

Also, a big shout of thanks to the Wakefield Cooperative Bank for their participation in the food drive of October 26th.

Wakefield Coop Bank Food Drive is Oct. 26; Many thanks to Beebe Library for their food drive

Get ready for Saturday, Oct. 26 food drive sponsored by the Wakefield Co-operative Bank. Members of the community are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items to the COOP Bank during the week, or at the Food Pantry on Saturday morning from 10-Noon at the Americal Civic Center, lower level. 

Financial donations are also important to the pantry operations.  Checks made payable to The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry are gratefully accepted. Learn more:  www.wifoodpantry.org.

 

Many thanks to the Beebe Library for hosting last week’s food drive!

Beebe Library to Host a Food Drive on October 12, 2013

The Beebe Library will sponsor a Food Drive for the Interfaith Food Pantry on Saturday, October 12 from 10AM-Noon at the Americal Civic Center (lower level) on Main St.  Members of the community are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items to the Beebe Library during the week, or at the Food Pantry on Saturday morning.  Checks made payable to The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry will also be gratefully accepted.  For an updated list of most needed food items, please visit the website:  www.wifoodpantry.org

Eastern Bank Food Drive September 28, 2013 and Thanks to Music Boosters!

The Eastern Bank will sponsor a Food Drive for the Interfaith Food Pantry on Saturday, September 28^th from 10AM-Noon at the Americal Civic Center (lower level) on Main St.  Members of the community are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items to the Eastern Bank during the week, or at the Food Pantry on Saturday morning.  Checks made payable to The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry will also be gratefully accepted.  For an updated list of most needed food items, please visit the website:  www.wifoodpantry.org

The WIFP would also like to thank The Wakefield High School Marching Band, the Music Boosters and Mr. Tom Bankert for hosting an impressively successful food drive again this year. This organization collected over 3,000 items of food and delivered it to the Pantry on Saturday, September 14^th. The enthusiasm and generosity of community groups in Wakefield is always tremendously appreciated as we try to serve individuals and families in need.

Van and Volunteers Needed for Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry

Wakefield -- we need your help!

We are looking for someone who owns a cargo van or preferably a 16' box truck with a capacity of 5,000 lbs to assist us with a three hour round trip every other week (on a Wednesday or Monday) to go to the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) to pick up our food order and deliver it to our Pantry. The use of this truck would enable us to get much needed food at a very low cost and some free items as well to help keep our Pantry well stocked. We would be unable to operate at our current level and quality without the GBFB food source.

 

Please contact us at volunteer@wifoodpantry.org. Thank you!!!!!

Tonneson + Co sponsors a 5K Run/Walk Lake Quannapowitt on July 14, 3013 to benefit the Kids First Program

Tonneson + Co will be hosting a 5K run/walk around Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield, MA on Sunday, July 14, 2013 at 10:00 am. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry to benefit the Kids First program.

 

The Kids First program provides food to families with school age children during the summer months. Many families receive free or reduced price breakfast and lunch during the school year, but this help is not available during the summer. The Kids First program provides the added food items to help replace those meals.

 

To register for this event, please visit the Racewire website or click here for the event page. The registration fee for this event is $25.00.  There is also a facebook event for this 5K run/walk where you can show your support and invite others.

 

If you are interested in volunteering at the event or becoming a sponsor, please contact Karianne Bekier or Brittany Quarantello at 781-245-9999 for more information.

Star of Bethlehem Lodge of Masons Donates $1,000 to the Food Pantry

 

The Star of Bethlehem Lodge of Masons in Wakefield recently donated a very generous $1,000 to the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry for all the work the pantry does for the community. 

 

In the photo:

 

Left to Right:  Maureen Miller (WIFP), Flo Calore (WIFP), Joanne Turco (WIFP), John Brownell (Master, Star of Bethlehem Lodge of Masons), and Michael Morris, (Junior Warden, Star of Bethlehem Lodge of Masons)

Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry Receives Grant from The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation

The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry (WIFP) was one of several local nonprofit organizations that received a financial award from The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. The foundation, established in 1997 through an initial endowment of $550,000 from The Savings Bank, presented a total of $ 26,700.00 to eight (8) nonprofit organizations during the 16^th distribution of funds. Over the past 17 years, the Foundation has made donations in excess of $ 450,000 to organizations in local communities.

            The $4,000.00 award was presented by The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation to Linda McManama, Joanne Turco, Wendy Dennis, and Gene Moulton, volunteers and leaders at the pantry. According to the WIFP, the pantry will use this money to support its Supplies for Seniors Program. Supplies for Seniors provides highly nutritious and desirable foods targeted for the senior clientele. Fresh fruit, vegetables, a well-thought-out selection of food items, and essential household supplies are offered monthly to the residents of Hart’s Hill and Crystal View community centers by a team of volunteers who organize and distribute to their client base.

            “We are thrilled to be selected as one of the recipients of The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation,” commented Maureen Miller, Director of the WIFP.  “As always, The Savings Bank demonstrates its commitment and generosity to the people of Wakefield, especially our neighbors in need.”

            For more information about the Supplies for Seniors Program at WIFP, please visit the food pantry website:  www.wifoodpantry.org.

 

Photo Caption: The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation recently presented the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry with a $4,000 financial award during the 16th distribution of funds.  Taking part in the award presentation were (from left to right) The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Director Bob DiBella, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at The Savings Bank; The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Director Susan O’Neill; Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry:  Linda McManama, Joanne Turco, Wendy Dennis, all long-time volunteers and leaders at the pantry; The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Director Jack MacKay; Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry volunteer, Gene Moulton, and The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Director, Glenn Dolbeare

A Big Thank You to All Who Gave or Helped During the 2013 Letter Carriers' Food Drive

Over ninety volunteers helped Saturday, May 11^th to support the annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, Stamp Out Hunger, and stock the shelves at the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry (WIFP). Individuals and families as well as groups such as the Boy Scouts, WHS Football Team and the Kelly Sober House were all on hand to help unload, sort, and store the food. 

This year’s drive was very successful resulting in about 6 tons of food being collected to help our Wakefield neighbors in need. It’s estimated that this amount of food will allow for nearly 300 visits to the food pantry.

"Wakefield is very fortunate to have letter carriers who are willing to pick up and deliver many  pounds of food, along with their regular mail delivery each year," commented Maureen Miller, WIFP Director of Operations. “We’d like to thank each and every one of them for their help.”

For thirty years, the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry (WIFP) has been focused on eliminating hunger in our town by providing a variety of food and other items to those in need.  The pantry has served over 439 households this year alone with an average of 390 visits each month. Half of the families who come to the pantry are employed but unable to make ends meet with current salaries. The other half pantry clients are unemployed due to disability or retirement.

“The biggest thank you goes to everyone in Wakefield who took the time and thought to donate food and to the volunteers as well as our local newspapers who always support us to spread the word,” she said.

For more information about the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry, please visit:  www.wifoodpantry.org.

 

Food Donations Needed for Letter Carriers’ Food Drive May 11, 2013

~Stamp Out Hunger Drive Should Result in Major Donations to Food Pantry~

The annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, Stamp Out Hunger, will take place on Saturday, May 11th. On that day, Wakefield residents are asked to leave a bag or box of non-perishable food by their mailbox. Letter carriers will pick up the food on their postal routes and deliver it that afternoon to the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry (WIFP).  The need for food assistance has been growing due to higher unemployment and a difficult economy. 

The Food Pantry served 439 local households to date with an average of 390 visits to the pantry each month.  According to Maureen Miller, half of the families who come to the pantry are employed but unable to make ends meet with current salaries and the other half of are unemployed due to disability or retirement. “That’s why this particular food drive is critical to filling up our shelves to help serve our neighbors in need,” she said.

The WIFP also needs volunteers to help with this drive especially on Saturday, May 11^th between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm. To volunteer, please sign up online at the WIFP website: www.wifoodpantry.org, or email: volunteer@wifoodpantry.org.

You can learn more about Stamp Out Hunger at the website:  www.helpstampouthunger.com.

Information about the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry is available at: www.wifoodpantry.org.  Be sure to “friend” us on Facebook to get news on a regular basis!

While all non-perishable foods are welcome, donations of the following items would be most beneficial:

 Protein Group

Canned tuna, salmon, sardines, chicken, ham
Canned chili, beef stew, baked beans
Peanut butter

Fruit & Vegetable Group
Canned fruit
Dried fruit
Canned vegetables, especially corn and green beans
Diced tomatoes
Pasta sauce

Pasta & Cereal Group

All kinds of pasta.
A variety of cereals.

Milk Group & Miscellaneous Needs
Shelf Stable milk
Jelly and jams
Reusable shopping bags

Please note that the Pantry cannot accept any food items that are opened or past their expiration dates or canned goods with dents and rust.

Lemon-Aid 3: A Benefit for the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry and One Fund Boston

Lucy and Summer Milsky and Noah and Luke Greif are once again participating in the national Lemonade Day event by creating their own lemonade stand called Lemon-Aid 3. 

100% of the profits will benefit the One Fund Boston and the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry. 

Please come down on Saturday, May 4th between 9:30am and 3:30pm to support their effort to make a difference for the victims of the Marathon tragedy and for our residents of Wakefield! 

How you can support the Lemonade Day event or learn more about it:

• Watch the cutest PSA ever!
• Join the Facebook event and invite your friends!
• Check out the event listing on the Wakefield Patch! 
• If you can't make it or don't live locally, you can make a donation online.

The Department of Mental Health will sponsor a Food Drive to benefit the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry on Saturday, April 27th

The Department of Mental Health will sponsor a Food Drive to benefit the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry on Saturday, April 27^th from 10AM-Noon at the Americal Civic Center (lower level) on Main St. There will be collection bins set up at Shaws on Water St. on the 25^th and 26^th of April. As always, members of the community are also encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items at the Food Pantry on Saturday morning.  Checks are always welcome, and may be made payable to The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry. For further information on the WIFP and for an updated list of most-needed food items, go to www.wifoodpantry.org.

This will be the second year that the DMH has hosted a food drive. Members of the DMH Site Advisory Board members will be participating in the event. Board members and volunteers either have a family member or they themselves are living with  mental illness.  In addition to this, staff members from the DMH Metro North Site Office which is located in Wakefield, as well as some local young adults who are completing community service requirements for school.

The WIFP would also like to thank The Wakefield Education Foundation for hosting a second, very successful drive on April 13th. The enthusiasm and generosity of community groups in Wakefield is always tremendously appreciated as we try to serve individuals and families in need.

Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry Plans for the Future

The Board of Directors of the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry recently held its first annual strategic planning session to set the future course of the pantry and its services to the Wakefield community.

Continued increases in the number of clients needing the pantry’s services led to the move to larger space at the Americal Civic Center a few years ago.  Today, the pantry is a significantly-sized operation with 40 permanent volunteers serving over 400 households.  Each month, the pantry distributes approximately 16,000 pounds of food to our neighbors in need.

Maureen Miller, Director of Operations, noted, “Half of the families who come to the pantry are employed but unable to make ends meet.  Most of the others are retired or unemployed due to disability.”

The goal of the strategic planning session and additional planning to come is to help the pantry leadership and volunteers further the pantry’s mission and prepare for the future.   Over the next 2-3 years, the board’s focus will be on the following priorities:

·       Develop and enhance strategic partnerships with local businesses, congregations and civic organizations to help meet program needs and increase awareness

·       Create a stewardship program where individuals in the community with particular skills are invited to join WIFP committees

·       Expanding  fund raising efforts to meet growing needs

The team also encourages everyone in Wakefield to view the new documentary about the food pantry: Hunger Hurts: A Community Responds.  This unique video shares the history of the WIFP and highlights the issue of hunger in our own community.

Find it on YouTube at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGkG2CckiaE, or watch it on WCAT, our local cable station.

Watch the 30th Year Commemoration Video on YouTube

30th Year Commemoration - Watch the 30th Year Commemoration Video on YouTube

Thirty years ago the Mission Committee of the First Baptist Church opened their doors to those in need by setting up a pantry.  This was in response to the many calls for help that Reverend Keech was receiving asking for food assistance.  The first pantry was actually a metal supply shelf filled with the canned food donated each Sunday by parishioners of the Baptist Church.  During it’s first year the food pantry helped 17 households.  Unfortunately, the need continued to grow and it grew rapidly.

Soon the First Baptist realized it needed the community at large to assist with the pantry.  As a result the Wakefield INTERFAITH food pantry was formed.  Each month a different congregation was responsible for stocking and providing food to those Wakefield residents who were in need.  By 2001, the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry was incorporated into a 501-3(c) non-profit with members from all congregations and the community on its board.  In 2010, the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry moved to larger accommodations at the Americal Civic Center to allow for use of the Greater Boston Food Bank, more storage, refrigeration and longer hours.

To commemorate these last 30 years, a group of volunteers with the help of WCAT has produced a documentary of the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry.  The documentary called “Hunger Hurts; A Community Responds” was shown on WCAT and is now available to watch on YouTube.  Please share this video with your neighbors!

Letter from the Director, Maureen Miller

Dear Friends,

We reside in the wonderful community of Wakefield that has never failed to provide the pantry with food and donations allowing us to serve those in need among us.  Since 1982 this community has supported the pantry through food drives, community events and donations.  Though it is bittersweet that we have been in existence for 30 years, it is heartwarming that we have always been able to help those in needs for that time period.

We are thankful for the many people who donate to the pantry through food or money.  Our average donation is approximately $50 and we process over 16,000 lbs of food each month.  This would not be possible without our individual donors and without the help of organizations such as Keurig, Shaws, Gathering Change and the Rotary.

Finally, we are so thankful for the wonderful volunteers that donate their time and energy to the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry.  These volunteers fulfill the many tasks necessary to feed our neighbors and they do it joyfully, compassionately and without judgment.  Through it’s volunteers, the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry strives to provide a warm and welcoming environment to all who come through the door.

As Director, I appreciate all of you who make the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry a success.  As Desmond Tutu said, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

Maureen Miller
Director, Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry

Food Servings at the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry & the Greater Boston Food Bank

Both the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry and the Greater Boston Food Bank are hard at work serving the community.  Here are some recent numbers:

Servings at the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry

• 410: The # of households served since July
• 380: The # of visits to the pantry each month
• 16,000: Pounds of food distributed each month
• 5: The # of days of food given when a client visits
• 2: The # of times a client can visit each month

Servings at the Greater Boston Food Bank

• 23: The % increase in requests for food assistance since 2005
• 47: The % of people at risk for hunger in eastern Mass who earn too much to be eligible for government-provided emergency food assistance
• 8: The % of eastern Mass who use a food pantry, soup kitchen or shelter
• 33: The % of households who receive food assistance and have at least one child

Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry Debuts New Video

Thirty years ago in 1982, a dedicated group of volunteers cleared out a small cabinet in the basement of the First Baptist Church.  With help from the community, they stocked it with food and opened the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry (WIFP) with only one goal:  to eliminate hunger in our town.  Through the years, the pantry has provided much needed food items to those in need and doing it with care, dignity and respect.

 Nearly 70 people, including volunteers, donors, supporters and Board leadership, gathered together at Wakefield Community Access TV (WCAT) to celebrate the debut of a new video (Hunger Hurts:  A Community Responds) that shares the history of the WIFP and highlights the issue of hunger in our own community.  The video was enthusiastically received as a much needed educational tool to share with the entire town.  WCAT will air the video during these times on Channel 3:

 Monday, 8:30 pm

Wednesday, 1:00 pm

Thursday, 8:00 pm

Friday, 4:00 pm

Saturday, 12:00 pm

Sunday, 7:00 pm

Please tune in to WCAT and share your feedback by emailing info@wifoodpantry.org  or calling 781-245-2510. WCAT also posted the video on its website:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGkG2CckiaE

The WIFP would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many people who volunteered their time, talent and money to make this video:

 The Video Committee:  Julie Bernardin (Chair), Flow Calore, Wendy Dennis, Elaine Gauetta, Jane Good, Beth Hendriks, Linda McManama, Maureen Miller and Sue Warden.

 Supporters:  WCAT, Wakefield Cooperative Bank, the Wakefield Community which has supported the WIFP throughout its 30 years.

Contributors:  Keurig, Elizabeth Lowrey (artist), Robyn Mather (marketing & branding consultant), Kelly Morgan (Narrator), Paul Reavis (Wakefield Town Hall), Shaws of Wakefield, Lee Martin (musician), WCAT (producer and video consultant)

“Once again, many talented and generous people stepped up to help the pantry with a major project,” said Maureen Miller, WIFP Director of Operations. “Everyone who views this video will get a sense of the heart and soul of the pantry’s mission from the very beginning and as it continues today.  Our founders were instrumental in creating an organization dedicated to helping our neighbors in need with respect, privacy and care and we carry on that tradition.”

 This video also highlights a number of real-life situations where local citizens found the support and food they needed at the pantry. “Everyone needs a helping hand now and again.  A job layoff, a disabling accident, the high cost of prescription drugs or medical care, skyrocketing oil bills during a cold winter – any one of these events may throw even the best laid plans to the wayside. That’s when the WIFP can help. Sometimes a helping hand is all you need to get back on your feet,” explained Miller.

 
In addition to the WCAT viewing times, the pantry is working to expand distribution of the video to the business community as well as the schools and houses of worship.  For more information about the video, contact Maureen Miller at 781-245-2510.

 If you are a Wakefield resident and are in need of food, you can receive assistance from the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry. The food pantry stocks non-perishable and perishable food items. Twice a month, clients are eligible to receive a 4-5 day supply of groceries for themselves. 

The Food Pantry is located on the lower level of the:

Americal Civic Center, 467 Main Street, Wakefield, MA 01880

The hours are:

 •Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

•Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

•Thursday 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Please bring proof that you live in Wakefield (e.g. utility bill). If there is an emergency situation, you may call the Food Pantry at 781-245-4510 for further assistance.

The WIFP would like to thank the Wakefield community for its generous support over the last 30 years!

 

 

2012 Holiday Basket Program a Success!

This year we continued our program to provide wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to our clients!

Our Thanksgiving meal consisted of a choice of turkey or ham, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, stuffing, potatoes, onions, fresh fruit donated by Lisatano Fruit which included apples, oranges and pineapples, frozen pies and rolls.  We gave out approximately 140 meals.

Our Christmas meal consisted of pork tenderloin, canned and fresh vegetables, rolls, potatoes and frozen pies.  We gave out approximately 105 Christmas meals.  Our local Shaw’s Supermarket provided a lot of this food at low cost and even delivered it to us for distribution.

Over  40 volunteers cheerfully served those who visited us over a couple days to receive their meal.  Both meals were well received by our clients who were grateful to have this additional help during the holidays.

The  photo is of Pat Hardacker (Holiday Meal Coordinator), Julie Theriault (Board President), and Marge White (volunteer) preparing to distribute a holiday meal.

Cheer On the Food Pantry for This Year’s Souper Bowl of Caring!

No matter which team is your favorite for the upcoming Super Bowl XLVII on February 3, 2013, we all win when we root for the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry (WIFP) during the Souper Bowl of Caring drive!

WIFP is encouraging everyone in the community to collect monetary donations and much needed food items to stock the pantry shelves during The Souper Bowl of Caring which is a national endeavor to use the energy of the Super Bowl to mobilize youth in a united effort to care for people in their local communities who are hungry and those in need. Super Bowl weekend – the first Sunday in February – can be nation's largest celebration of giving and serving – if we all participate!

The WIFP leadership and volunteers are asking businesses, churches, and other organizations to offer special promotions to their clients and members to spark donations. In addition, families and friends who host Super Bowl parties are encouraged to ask their guests to make financial donations or bring a couple of cans of food to the get-togethers on February 3, 2013, Super Bowl Sunday.  

Most needed food items can be seen on the WIFP website:  http://www.wifoodpantry.org/wi_mostneededfood.html.

Food items collected can be dropped off at the WIFP Drop Off Box located on the lower level of the Americal Civic Center during open hours or at the Town Hall Drop Off Box. (Be sure that you don’t donate food that has expired!) Any financial donations can be mailed to the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry at P.O. Box 1624, Wakefield, MA 01880.

For more information about participating in The Souper Bowl of Caring at the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry, please email the WIFP at fooddrive@wifoodpantry.org.