Wakefield Food Pantry's Kids First 2024 Program Helped Many Families

The Wakefield Food Pantry’s (WFP) Kids First team ran another successful summer program in 2024 which provided families of school-aged children with healthy, kid-friendly food. WFP’s Kids First program helps battle food insecurity by distributing food during the summer when free school breakfast and lunch programs are not available.

Kids First 2024 served 64 families, totaling 111 kids which is about a 40% increase from the prior summer. The program assisted families through grocery deliveries and onsite pickups at the WFP.

Healthy food was provided to families to enjoy including cereal, shelf-stable milk, toaster pastries, canned fruits, nut butters, jelly, pasta, cookies, and breads. In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables were included in each distribution. The team also expanded the popular theme meal extras to include Cookout week, Spaghetti and Meatballs week, Pizza Making week, and Quesadilla week.

“We are delighted that we could help so many families and their kids get healthy, kid-friendly food during the summer months when they don’t have access to free breakfasts and lunches offered during the school year,” said Maureen Miller, Executive Director of the WFP.

Throughout the year, families and individuals in need are encouraged and welcomed to shop for food and supplies at the WFP, located at 467 Main Street on the lower level. Open hours for the Pantry are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 1 pm and Thursday night from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.