Braintree Food Pantry Readies For Holiday Season

BRAINTREE, MA — The Marge Crispin Center hosted a food drive last weekend to get ready to help Braintree families in need this holiday season. The pantry is hosting another one Saturday to keep the momentum going.

The drive is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon at Town Hall. Donations will be made through a drive up and drop off system. Specifically, the Marge Crispin Center is in need of toilet paper, dry stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy and all non-perishable food items. Residents are asked to check expiration dates on all food items before donating.

Last year amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Marge Crispin Center delivered 175 Thanksgiving and 224 Christmas meals to Braintree residents, as well as 400 toys and gifts for children. Marge Crispin Center Director Ann Toland told the Town Council on Wednesday that she expects even more meals to be distributed this holiday season.

"They help us to be able to help so many people in Braintree, and we’re all appreciative of that," Toland said.

Toland said any Braintree resident in need of holiday meals can apply at the Marge Crispin Center at 46 Lincoln St. The applications are available 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Applications are also available at the Council on Aging and in school nurses offices.

To apply, residents need to provide proof of residency, and if they have children, show birth certificates. One application applies for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

Town Councilor Meredith Boericke said people may not think of Braintree as a place where people need food assistance, but there is a need, especially in Braintree Square. In the heart of Braintree Square, the median income is two-thirds what the rest of Braintree is, Boericke said.

Where to pick up food

After applying for the holiday meal program, families can pick up Thanksgiving meals on Nov. 22, at 74 Pond St. Those that sign up late can also get their meals on Nov. 23.

Toland said Christmas meal and gift distribution is Dec. 13 and 14. On Dec. 15, there will be a special distribution for grandparents.

Other events like the annual Christmas party toy drive and Braintree police's "Fill a Cruiser" toy drive are also on this year.

The Christmas party is scheduled for Dec. 9 at the Granite Grille at 703 Granite St. "Fill a Cruiser" is on Dec. 4. More details on the events will come at a later date.