What Hunger Relief For Newton Veterans Looks Like

NEWTON, MA — There’s a chance your neighbor can’t afford to eat. One in 10 people living in the state is food insecure. For children that number goes up to about 1 in 7. And Newton is not immune.

"Many people are surprised to hear that places like Newton and Brookline have populations who need food, but it's here," said the Greater Boston Food Bank President and CEO Catherine D’Amato.

In response, The Greater Boston Food Bank has opened a mobile market in partnership with the American Legion Nonantum Post 440 in Newton to focus on one particularly vulnerable population; veterans. The aim? deliver high-quality food directly to veterans and military families in need - for free.

The Newton mobile market is already serving 150 households a month and its rising, according to the food bank. In addition to the veterans’ mobile market in Newton, there are two others - one in Melrose and one in Revere, which serve 145 and 300 households a month respectively. Today a number of leaders gathered to announce the grand opening of the event before a crowd of veterans waiting in line to choose from tables of fresh fruit, vegetables and staples. From rice, potatoes, milk, eggs, and muffin mix to apples, pineapple melon and celery. (see Facebook live video below)

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Who comes to the Newton food bank market?

The Newton event is mainly for veterans and their families. Veterans can sign up ahead of time with the legion or with the city's veteran's affairs officer to ensure there's no abuse of the system and that the food bank brings enough food about 35 to 50 pounds of fresh food for each family.

Most of the people shopping from the market on Friday are older, many have canes or walkers in hand, there are a number of people in wheelchairs, some speak with a Russian accent, others the recognizable Boston lilt. They are white, black and Asian. They are all shapes and sizes.

Pat Morell a retired Newton employee said she heard about the Friday morning market from her neighbor, a veteran. Morell's late husband used to work at the American Legion and she herself is disabled and doesn't work. "I don't know what I'd do without this," she says as she walks to her friend's car with two bags filled with eggs, bread, tofu and other goods. In fact, in the past she's just gone without food or her daughter or friends have stepped in to help out.

Stigma

Others are more reluctant to have their names in the paper, some say they are shy some tell Patch that this is their first time to such an event and they're embarrassed but to a person each makes a point of saying how grateful they are for the food.
There's still a considerable stigma associated with food insecurity and food pantries, says D’Amato. And the monthly efforts to set up a communal food market for vulnerable populations - like veterans- is an effort to help destigmatise it. "We're safer in numbers," she says. "If we make it a communal event, more people are likely to feel it's okay to come," she says.

"We shouldn't keep these kinds of events as best kept secrets, said Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services Francisco Urena Part of the way to do that is building trust in the communities. "It's great to highlight this concept, for vets and non vets."

Food insecurity? What does that mean?

While food insecurity rates across the country are decreasing and eastern Massachusetts where the standard of living is higher, the numbers of those who might not make enough money to have three healthy meals a day is going down, they're not to pre-recession numbers just yet, says D’Amato. The concern is the uncertainty in the current government. Will Federal regulations change? Will there be different regulations around food stamps, breakfast and lunch school programs?

Adults with food insecurity (a measure defined by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members) have higher risks for chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and depression. Children living in food in secure households are at higher risk for conditions such as asthma and anemia and mental health and behavioral disorders.

The American Legion Nonantun Post 440 and the food bank will continue to host the markets monthly for the foreseeable future.

The Greater Boston Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. It provides the equivalent of more than 48 million healthy meals annually distributed through its network of 530 member agencies in the 190 cities and towns across Eastern Massachusetts. The organization operates four direct service programs at nearly 70 sites throughout the area. A member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network, the food bank serves more than 140,000 people every month in its mission to create a hunger-free Eastern Massachusetts.

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OTHER RESOURCES:

The Newton Food Pantry is open on Wednesdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m., except on the third Wednesday of the month. Instead, the food pantry is open that following Saturday from 11 a.m.-noon. To get a referral, call Anna Gonzalez at 617-796-1282.
The food pantry is open to accept donations 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, except for the third Wednesday of the month. Donations can be made the following Saturday from 10-11 a.m. Food donations can also be left at Hammond Real Estate, 1631 Beacon St., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Monetary donations can be mailed to Newton Food Pantry, 1608 Beacon St, Waban, MA 02468. from Wicked Local Newton

The Hellenic Gospel Church Food Pantry/Clothes Closet is a non-profit organization run by volunteers from the church, community, Boy Scouts troops, YMCA, and Eliot House. The Pantry is located at 187 Church Street, Newton, MA 02458.
Food and clothing is distributed the second and fourth Friday of each month from 11:00 am to 1:00 om. The pantry provides a three day supply of food, one time per month for eligible Newton residents.
If you would like to make a donation of non-perishable food or cash donation, please contact Lia Deligiannides. She can be reached at (617) 821-6765.

The Centre Street Food Pantry is located on the lower level of Trinity Church in Newton Centre at 11 Homer Street. The #52 MBTA bus stops nearby and we are a few blocks from the Newton Centre T stop.
The pantry is open every Tuesday from 4-7pm and the first Saturday of each month from 11-2. Eligible people are welcome to shop once per month . Referral forms are available on the pantry website (www.centrestfoodpantry.org) or for Newton residents from the Community Social Worker: 617-796-1282.

The food project at the american legion is the baby of Newton Director of Veterans’ Services Seth Bai, The Greater Boston Food Bank President and CEO Catherine D’Amato, American Legion Post Commander John MacGillivray.

Photos by Jenna Fisher, Patch Staff