On 30th Birthday, Sudbury Food Pantry Rises To Fight Pandemic

SUDBURY, MA — On the anniversary of its founding, the Sudbury Community Food Pantry should be celebrating — instead, the organization is rising to fight a global pandemic.

The SCFP was founded by volunteers in March 1990, 30 years to the month that the coronavirus crisis began rampaging across the region and the state. The pandemic has brought an increased need for food banks, and the SCFP has boosted its efforts — with help from the larger Sudbury community.

The SCFP has begun holding drive-through food distribution at its base at Our Lady of Fatima Church. The organization has also partnered with the Sudbury Housing Authority and Neighborhood Brigade to deliver food to people in need.

The food pantry typically helps between 60 and 80 families per week during normal times, but the SCFP has seen an increased demand due to coronavirus.

"What has maintained the pantry during this pandemic has been the enormous outpouring of community support," the SCFP said in a news release this week. "Neighbors who are accustomed to full-time employment have volunteered their time and efforts, including many of our teachers."

The SCFP has also been buoyed by numerous community fundraisers. The Chinese-American Association of Sudbury donated cleaning supplies. Parents, teachers, and students at Sudbury elementary schools have organized four food drives to help restock the pantry. Local churches, including First Baptist, the Sudbury Presbyterian Church, St. John’s Lutheran, St. Vincent’s Conference at St Anselm’s, and St. Vincent’s Conference at Our Lady of Fatima, have held food drives to help.

Even the Boston Post Road CVS store donated chocolate ahead of Easter.

"In addition, throughout March and April, the SCFP has received unsolicited financial donations from many local residents as well as from various houses of worship and nonprofit organizations," the organization said.

If you need food assistance, visit the SCFP website or visit the organization's Facebook page.