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.
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