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.