Melrose recognizes Hunger Action Month

At the last City Council meeting, Councilor-at-Large Monica Medeiros presented a Resolution on behalf of the City Council and the City of Melrose recognizing the month of September as “Hunger Action Month” and commending Bread of Life, Pantry of Hope at the First Baptist Church and A Servant’s Heart at Faith Evangelical Church. Accepting the resolution was Cindy Robillard, treasurer of the Bread of Life, Pat Fish of Pantry of Hope and Joan Dean of A Servant’s Heart.

“It is an honor and a privilege to bring some awareness to this issue and how many of our neighbors are facing housing and food insecurity, to bring some awareness to it, to let them know about the resources available to them, and to let our community know how they can take action to support our neighbors,” said Medeiros.

September is Hunger Action Month, when the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks unite to urge businesses and individuals to take action in their communities to fight food insecurity and end hunger.

One in eleven people and one in nine children in Massachusetts are at risk of hunger (Source: Feeding America). A recent study shows that 34% of those at risk for hunger in Eastern Massachusetts earn too much to qualify for government-provided emergency food assistance (Source: The Greater Boston Food Bank). This includes many Melrose residents who regularly access services provided by these organizations.

“Thank you to the City of Melrose for acknowledging Bread of Life’s commitment to helping our neighbors,” said Cindy Robillard. “Bread of Life serves 260 Melrose individuals through our Malden food pantry - 6% of our total - and 140 Melrose senior citizens living in subsidized housing with our senior nutrition outreach program.”

Bread of Life, a faith-based, volunteer-driven organization, is the largest provider of free food serving residents of Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham, Saugus, Reading, North Reading, Wakefield and Winchester. Bread of Life is in the top 10% of food distributers among the member agencies of The Greater Boston Food Bank, distributing over 1 million free meals per year.

A Servant’s Heart food pantry serves 160 families and is open to Melrose residents only. “That’s about our limit right now,” said Joan Dean, who has been the coordinator for 23 years. They also hold a free community dinner at 6 pm on the third Friday of each month that is open to anyone from this community or any other community.

Dean also acknowledged the support the pantry receives from our community. “I just thank the churches and the scouts and the schools. They do a wonderful job,” Dean said.

Pat Fish shared that Melrose residents account for approximately 24% of those they serve at the Pantry of Hope, which is open to residents of other communities as well. Pantry of Hope is open Tuesdays from 3 to 5 pm and serves approximately 55 people each week. “They can come every other week; so that's 55, and in the next week it's a different 55,” Fish said. “That's a lot of food.”

During this Hunger Action Month, the resolution asks all of Melrose to learn more about the problem of hunger and discover how we can create a whole and healthy community.

Each of the organizations are in need of volunteers to assist in their operations. Donations of food may be made to A Servant’s Heart, located at 200 Franklin St, by dropping items off in the shed behind the Faith Evangelical Church, on the Albion Street side. Food donation bins are available at City Hall for both Pantry of Hope and A Servant’s Heart near the Essex St door.

Please check expiration dates. “We only really have basically one problem with donations: expired food,” said Dean.

According to Fish, Pantry of Hope, located at 561 Main Street, will hold its first fundraiser ever on October 5 at the church and “all the money will be going to the food bank.” Details can be found on the church's website.

Bread of Life is currently raising funds for its capital campaign. To donate or if you need assistance, visit the Bread of Life website at www.breadoflifemalden.org or call (781) 397-0404.

“Bread of Life will continue on our mission until we win the battle to end hunger,” said Robillard.