Invitation to Participate in "Kids First"

Dear Wakefield Families,

The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry has developed a program entitled "Kids First". The purpose of this program is to provide food to families with school age children during the summer months. Many families receive free or reduced breakfast and/or lunch during the school year, but this heip is not available during the summer. This is where the food pantry can help. We can provide you with the added food items to help replace those meals.

During July and August, the food pantry will be open on four dates specifically to provide food for the "Kids First" program. If you have a need, we encourage you to come to the Amencal Civic Center, 467 Main Street, Wakefield to pick up breakfast and lunch foods for your family. We will provide foods such as: Aunt Jemima pancake mix, Mrs. Butterworth's maple symp, Lender's bagels, cream cheese, Amie's Mac'n Cheese, Skippy Peanut Butter, Smucker's Jelly, Apple & Eve juice boxes, Keebler crackers and Vanilla Wafers, Ellio's Pizza, Tyson Chicken Nuggets, freezepops, Danimals yogurt, Polly-O string cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables. The dates and trmes we will be open are the following:

7/9 9-11:00am
7/19 6:30-8:00pm
8/13 9-11:00am
8/22 9:30-11:30am

You may come to all four of these dates. You must show proof of residency.  In order to have enough food available, we ask that you let us know you plan to participate. You may respond in one of the following ways:

• Return the bottom portion of this slip to your school office by Friday 6/24/11.
• Email-the food pantry at kidsfirst@wrfoodpantry.org and let us know the dates you will attend by 6/24/11.
• Mail the bottom portion of this slip to WIFP P.o. Box 1624,wakefieid, MA, 01880 by 6/24/11.

The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry is pleased to provide this program and we encourage those in need to participate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I plan to attend the Kids First Program on the following dates:

7/9         Yes / No
7/19   Yes / No
8/13   Yes / No
8/22 Yes / No

I have ____ school age children.
I will provide proof of residency during my visit.

Press Release: Letter Carriers Collected Over Four Tons of Goods

On May 14, 2011, the entire Wakefield community came together to collect over 4 tons of food during the annual National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) drive to Stamp Out Hunger across America, providing assistance to the millions of Americans who are struggling to put food on their tables every day. Now in its 19th year, the Stamp Out Hunger food drive, which is always held on the second Saturday in May, has become the nation’s largest single‐day food drive.

“Once again we extend our warm thanks to those who participated in this food drive, especially all the letter carriers who picked up the donations during their routes and delivered the food to the pantry,” said Maureen Miller, Director of Operations, Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry.  “The pantry is currently serving an average of 300 households or 800 individuals monthly and that number has been growing.  The generosity of the people of Wakefield is truly inspirational.”

Miller also thanked the more than 60 volunteers who helped with the sorting and shelving of the food donations. The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry is a Volunteer Organization committed to providing food items to Wakefield residents in need regardless of religious affiliation, if any. Run by members from local organizations and concerned citizens, the WIFP is sponsored by donations of food and cash from Wakefield residents, civic organizations, businesses and congregations.  Additionally, the pantry provides referrals to other agencies for services.  For more information, please visit www.wifoodpantry.org or check out our Facebook page for photos and news.

Press Release: Letter Carrier Food Drive on Sat, May 14, 2011

The annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive will take place on Saturday, May 14th. 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 route and deliver it that afternoon to the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry (WIFP).  The Pantry is currently serving an average of 300 households or 800 individuals monthly and that number has been growing due to the higher unemployment rate and the difficult economy.  WIFP also needs volunteers to help with the drive especially on Saturday, May 14th between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. To volunteer, please sign up online at the WIFP website: www.wifoodpantry.org, or email: volunteer@wifoodpantry.org.

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 (in its own juice), 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: evaporated 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.

Press Release: Pantry Looks for New Volunteers!

Have you ever thought about volunteering at the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry?  WIFP’s mission is to provide emergency food supplies to Wakefield residents regardless of religious affiliation, if any. The WIFP is a purely volunteer organization and is looking for more people to get involved to match their interests and time commitment.  According to Maureen Miller, the Director of Operations for the pantry, the following volunteer
opportunities are most critical now for the organization to fill:

Client Support Volunteers are responsible for assisting clients with their shopping at the Food Pantry.  Volunteers are scheduled in two hour shifts from 9am to 11am and 11am to 1pm on Tuesday and Thursday mornings on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

Food Stocking Volunteers are needed for sorting and stocking food onto the Food Pantry shelves.  Some light housekeeping and lifting are also involved.  Volunteers are scheduled for two hour shifts on Mondays 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and every other Wednesday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

Food Drive Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the various drives that are held throughout the Wakefield community and requires about 1-2 hours per week. Duties include supplying group with most needed items and arranging for pick up or drop off of donated food to the Pantry.

Food Manager is responsible for managing the levels of food on hand in the pantry according to stocking guidelines and requires about 2-3 hours per week. The Food Manager also communicates and manages the requirements for additional food to all sources including purchasing, Food Bank runs, and community food drives.

Stocking Manager is responsible for the overall stocking of food, coordination of the stocking volunteers and the overall appearance of the pantry.  The Stocking Manger, which requires approximately 4-5 hours per week, also schedules stocking volunteers on a regular and as needed basis and ensures that food coming into the pantry is received, sorted and stored. This job involves organization skills and ability to lift heavy items.  Volunteers are also asked to have access to email and a comfort level in using personal computers.

Additionally, the WIFP has many programs such as its Kids First Program, Food for Seniors Program, and Annual Postal Drive where volunteers are always welcome to provide assistance. “We also look to volunteers to represent and promote WIFP at various events around Wakefield, including the incredibly popular Farmers Market and Festival by the Lake,” comments Miller. For more information, please log on to the WIFP website: www.wifoodpantry.org and click on "volunteers" to download a volunteer registration form and sign up for email notifications on specific volunteer opportunities.

Press Release: Pantry Looks for New Volunteers!

March 30, 2011

Have you ever thought about volunteering at the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry?  WIFP’s mission is to provide emergency food supplies to Wakefield residents regardless of religious affiliation, if any. The WIFP is a purely volunteer organization and is looking for more people to get involved to match their interests and time commitment. According to Maureen Miller, the Director of Operations for the pantry, the following volunteer opportunities are most critical now for the organization to fill:

Client Support Volunteers are responsible for assisting clients with their shopping at the Food Pantry.  Volunteers are scheduled in two hour shifts from 9am to 11am and 11am to 1pm on Tuesday and Thursday mornings on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

Food Stocking Volunteers are needed for sorting and stocking food onto the Food Pantry shelves.  Some light housekeeping and lifting are also involved.  Volunteers are scheduled for two hour shifts on Mondays 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and every other Wednesday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

Food Drive Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the various drives that are held throughout the Wakefield community and requires about 1-2 hours per week. Duties include supplying group with most needed items and arranging for pick up or drop off of donated food to the Pantry.

Food Manager is responsible for managing the levels of food on hand in the pantry according to stocking guidelines and requires about 2-3 hours per week. The Food Manager also communicates and manages the requirements for additional food to all sources including purchasing, Food Bank runs, and community food drives.

Stocking Manager is responsible for the overall stocking of food, coordination of the stocking volunteers and the overall appearance of the pantry.  The Stocking Manger, which requires approximately 4-5 hours per week, also schedules stocking volunteers on a regular and as needed basis and ensures that food coming into the pantry is received, sorted and stored. This job involves organization skills and ability to lift heavy items.  Volunteers are also asked to have access to email and a comfort level in using personal computers.

Additionally, the WIFP has many programs such as its Kids First Program, Food for Seniors Program, and Annual Postal Drive where volunteers are always welcome to provide assistance. “We also look to volunteers to represent and promote WIFP at various events around Wakefield, including the incredibly popular Farmers Market and Festival by the Lake,” comments Miller. For more information, please log on to the WIFP website: www.wifoodpantry.org and click on "volunteers" to download a volunteer registration form and sign up for email notifications on specific volunteer opportunities.