Thank You to Wakefield Fire Dep't and Please Contribute to Eastern Bank Drive

The Eastern Bank of Wakefield is sponsoring a Food Drive for the Interfaith Food Pantry on Saturday, October 27thfrom 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 Fire Department for hosting a drive on October 13^th. The enthusiasm and generosity of community groups in Wakefield is always tremendously appreciated as we try to serve individuals and families in need!!

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The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry: Helping Our Neighbors in Need for 30 Years

Thirty years ago in 1982, a dedicated group of volunteers cleared out a small room 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.   While many things have changed in three decades --  especially the fact that the food pantry has a new location, is much larger, offers healthier food choices, and provides programs for our kids and seniors --  what has not changed is the need.

Please take a look at the Wakefield Item's October 11, 2012 issue which features our food pantry in the This Is Wakefield section.  All financial and food item donations are appreciated!

Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry Celebrates Volunteers, New and Retiring Board Members -- Check out recent photos

Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry Celebrates Volunteers, New and Retiring Board Members

The focus of the recent Board of Directors Meeting of the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry (WIFP) was celebrating the volunteers as well as current and retiring Board Members and welcoming two new Board members.

President of the Board, Wendy Dennis greeted attendees to the meeting and oversaw the swearing in ceremony for accepting the group of officers and members.  (A complete list of Board members can be found on the WIFP website, www.wifoodpantry.org.)

New members, Richard Greif and Annie Duvall, were welcomed to the group and the slate of officers for a one-year term were elected:

·       Wendy Dennis, President

·       Susan Bernard, Vice President

·       Julie Theriault, Treasurer

·       Joanne Turco, Clerk

“The hardest part of about this particular meeting was to say good-bye to two of our retiring board members, Beth Hendriks and Judy Gordon,” said Dennis.  “For years they’ve share their energy, wisdom and enthusiasm in helping the WIFP serve our neighbors in need which is why we wanted to take the time to recognize their dedication and service.”

Maureen Miller, WIFP Operations Director, also presented the Harriet Winsor Volunteer of the Year Award to Debbie Jones, WIFP Shift Leader.  This special award is presented to a volunteer or volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional performance, personal commitment and dedication to the food pantry, and whose interactions with clients and volunteers are consistently professional and an inspiration to others.

“This achievement recognizes volunteers who consistently perform above and beyond the call of duty. Debbie has been an integral part of our operations since moving to the new location in 2010.  With her expertise and dedication we are able to provide a wide variety of nutritious food to those who come through our doors with dignity and respect,” said Miller.

Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry Offers Kid Friendly Food Options for Summer Kids First Program

The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry offers a special program called Kids First which 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,” explains Maureen Miller, Operations Director at the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry. “The Kids First Program provides some “kid friendly” food items to help replace those meals.”

Interested families should go the food pantry during open hours (Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, and Thursday between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm) to register and choose their food.  Families are able to shop twice per month. 

The pantry has partnered with Shaws in Wakefield which has generously agreed to provide food items to the pantry at a low cost and delivers the food as well.  In addition to the regular stock, families will find juice boxes, fruit cups, pudding cups, breakfast bars, pancake mix, cookies and crackers, bread, Nutella spread, freeze pops and fresh fruit.

For more information about the Summer Kids First Program, please call the food pantry at 781.245.2510 or email:  kidsfirst@wifoodpantry.org.