Among those at the recent GBFB visit to the SVdP food pantry in Lincoln were (left to right) food pantry chair Karen Boyce; Christina Peretti, GBFB’s assistant director of community development; Norma Milligan and Lada Yunga, community investment associates; SVdP President Karen Salvucci; and Kim Mai, assistant chair of the food pantry.
Volunteers at Lincoln’s food pantry recently got a visit from their counterparts from the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), which supplies a substantial portion of the food that gets distributed locally.
GBFB representatives shared snacks and conversation on October 26 as part of its Apple Cider Donut Tour of some of its 590 food distribution partners in 190 Massachusetts communities. The local food pantry, which is tucked away in a former garage behind St. Joseph’s Church in South Lincoln, is run by volunteers from St. Vincent dePaul Society of Lincoln and Weston (SVdP).
SVdP Lincoln/Weston picks up, sorts, stores, and distributes about 4,000 pounds of food per month from the GBFB in addition to items donated by residents and local farms (with the help of grants from the Lincoln Agricultural Council). The GBFB goods account for roughly 40% of the total distributed by SVdP Lincoln/Weston.
“We rely heavily on donations of food and money, especially for our new ‘healthy food’ section which includes gluten-free, lactose free, low-salt, low-sugar. whole grains, vegetarian, nut-free and organic foods to aggressively address the dietary restrictions for those with hypertension, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and circulatory issues as well as individuals who choose vegan and other eating options for their diets,” said SVdP Chair Karen Boyce.
Both the GBFB and SVdP Lincoln/Weston welcome donations of money as well as food. GBFB purchases 70% of the food it distributes and is seeing an overall 15% increase in average food pricing compared to last year, according to its June 2022 quarterly report, which notes that “the demand for food assistance persists at the highest level in our 40-year history.” SVdP buys about half of the food it distributes in Lincoln and Weston and also provides emergency financial aid, which actually comprises the lion’s share in dollar value of the services it provides. Financial help for clients accounted for 42% of its expenses, with another 25% going to food purchases, 11% for gift cards, and 17% for adult continuing education scholarships. Grants and monetary donations that year amounted to about $152,000.
And the cost for that food is increasing at an alarming pace. According to the latest figures for the fiscal year that ended on October 31, 2022, SVdP spent $71,866 on food — just about double the amount it spent the previous year, which in itself was double the amount compared to the year before that ($36,034 vs. $18,182) as recorded in its 2020-21 annual report.
In October 2022 alone, the cost of food purchased from GBFB and retail outlets was $7,904, even after four food drives and drop-off donations. That includes a $2,553 payment to the GBFB. The average monthly payment from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31 was $2,155.
Because of high inflation, Thanksgiving will be more difficult than usual for many of SVdP’s clients, and its distributor is unable to supply turkeys this year. As a result, the food pantry is asking for donations of $25 gift cards from grocery stores (preferably Donelan’s) and/or items that will go into “Turkey Tin” food baskets. They expect about 130 families will receive the baskets and gift cards. To find out more and to sign up to donate, click here. Questions? Call 781-899-2611 x4 or email svdplincolnweston@gmail.com.
- Make a monetary donation to St. Vincent dePaul Society of Lincoln and Weston
- Donate food to the Lincoln/Weston Food Pantry
- Give to the Greater Boston Food Bank (one-time, monthly, matching gifts, etc.)