Give Back This Season: Barnstable County Food Pantries

BARNSTABLE, MA — As the holiday season kicks into full gear, it's easy to get caught up in the shopping madness and chaos, but at the center of season is being thankful and giving back. What better way to make holiday memories with your family than by getting together and making a difference in your community.

The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the already big problem of food insecurity in Massachusetts. As families rethink their holiday plans to stay safe and socially distant, others in the Commonwealth are trying to secure where their next meal will come from.

Food insecurity isn't a new problem in Barnstable County. Before the pandemic threw millions of Americans into unemployment, 16,240 or 7.6 percent of residents were considered food insecure. And that number had been slowly decreasing from 17,540 or 8.2 percent in 2016. But the recent economic fallout from the health pandemic has swollen that percent to 13.4 percent who are on the brink of hunger.

While the holidays are a great time to give back and help, it's important to keep in mind that many food pantries need help and donations throughout the year — so keep the giving spirit alive long after the holiday lights go out.

Take a look at the list below and reach out to a Barnstable County pantry near you to see if they are accepting donations or volunteers:

• TFPCC/CC Comm. College, 2240 Iyannough Rd., West Barnstable
• CCCC/Faith Family Kitchen, 154 Bearses Way, Hyannis
• Salvation Army/Hyannis Pantry, 100 North St., Hyannis
• Salvation Army/Hyannis Soup Kitchen, 100 North St., Hyannis
• Nam Vets Assoc. Cape & Islands Food Pantry, 247 Stevens St., Hyannis
• ABCUSA/ First Baptist Church Hyannis FP, 486 Main St., Hyannis
• BIB/CKM Marguerite Small Elementary, 440 Higgins Crowell Rd., West Yarmouth
• AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, 428 South St., Hyannis
• USCC/St. Francis Xavier, 19 Cross St., Hyannis
• BIB/CKM Cape Cod Academy, 1347 Main St., Osterville

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.