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!
