By Gina Woelfel

As the leaves begin to turn and the crisp air of fall settles over Medway, MA, the town’s two vital food pantries—The Medway Village Food Pantry and The Medway Food Pantry at Mahan Circle—prepare for the busy months ahead.

According to The Greater Boston Food Bank’s website, “One in three neighbors in Eastern Massachusetts faced food insecurity last year. While we may not realize it, we know someone hungry—that’s why we all have a role to play in ending hunger here.” Food pantries, such as those in Medway, provide dignified access to nutritious food, personal care items, and household goods to families and seniors in need, and this fall, they’re ramping up their efforts to ensure no one in the community goes hungry, especially as the holiday season approaches. 

September was Hunger Action Month, a national campaign by Feeding America that raises awareness of hunger in the United States. On Tuesday, September 3, representatives from the Medway food pantries attended the Medway Select Board meeting to declare September as “Hunger Action Month” in Medway. The Medway Village Food Pantry and Medway Food Pantry at Mahan Circle, both Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) member agencies, successfully called on their town to support this proclamation and engage more residents in addressing food insecurity through donating, advocating, and volunteering.

Susan Dietrich, the Executive Director of Medway Village Food Pantry, revealed the astonishing surge in client and household assistance, with a more than twofold increase from fiscal year 2022 to 2024. In the past 12 months, the Medway Village Food Pantry facilitated over 26,000 client visits, distributing a staggering 284,000 pounds of food, equivalent to 237,000 meals. Noteworthy is the diverse sourcing of sustenance for families. The Greater Boston Food Bank purchases account for 43%, with rescued/recovered food making up 33%, retail purchases constituting 13%, and donations contributing 11%.

“Both food pantries in Medway are run 100% by volunteers and rely solely on donations and grants for funding,” Dietrich explained. “Every hour volunteered, and every dollar donated goes directly to helping children, families, and seniors in our community. We are so grateful for the support we receive.” She also emphasized the importance of fresh produce, stating, “The most valued food item we offer is fresh produce. Through our commitment to food rescue partnerships, we have significantly increased the amount of fresh produce we offer to our neighbors, which in turn contributes to better overall health.”

Paul Galante, the Director of the Medway Food Pantry at Mahan Circle, stresses the importance of ensuring guests feel comfortable when accessing essential food and household supplies. “We believe that access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right. We’re dedicated to meeting the community’s needs in a welcoming environment. We aim to eliminate the stigma many people feel when seeking assistance. We’re all here to support each other without judgment.”

“We deeply appreciate the generous donations we receive from the community,” explains Kathie Olsen, Assistant Director at the Mahan Circle Food Pantry. “To make the most of every contribution, early donations are beneficial. By receiving items ahead, we can avoid duplicate purchases that might overlap with later donations and allow for better planning. This ensures that the funds we have can stretch as far as possible. Our process involves sorting, recording, and planning months in advance. So, while October may seem early to think about Thanksgiving and the holidays, it’s our busiest time. Your early support is crucial in helping us meet the needs of our clients.”

How you can help, early donations appreciated

The Medway Food Pantry and the Medway Village Pantry appreciate all donations. Monetary contributions are especially beneficial as they enable the pantries to buy more essential items at reduced prices from the Greater Boston Food Bank and local grocery stores. These savings help to keep the shelves well-stocked with a larger supply of goods. 

In previous years, the pantries typically receive most holiday donations the week before Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, this year, they’re asking the community to consider donating earlier in October and November to better prepare for the holiday season.

In a strategic effort to simplify the donation process and maximize contributions, Medway Food Pantry and Medway Village Pantry have collaborated this season by introducing a unified QR code for monetary donations. This approach ensures that donors can effortlessly support both food pantries with a single contribution, streamlining the process and enhancing the impact of the aid they receive. When donating, please include the code “MEDWAYGIVESBACK” in the notes section.

High-priority food and household items needed

Critical items: Hearty canned soups (Progresso, Campbell’s Chunky, etc.), cereal, pasta sauce, and pasta. Also needed are household essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, and personal care items like soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, individually boxed tampons and pads, shampoo, moisturizer, and conditioner.

For the holiday months: Boxed mashed potatoes, boxed stuffing, canned turkey gravy, canned cranberry sauce, canned yams, canned green beans, french fried onions, and cream of mushroom soup.

Diapers: The Medway Village Pantry always needs individual packages of children’s diapers in sizes 4, 5, and 6. Last year alone, they distributed over 75,000 diapers. Additionally, the Food Pantry at Mahan Circle welcomes individual packages of adult Depends.

Volunteer opportunities: Both pantries need your help! If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out through the provided contact emails to see how you can make a difference in your community. Your time and effort can have a meaningful impact on those in need.

Please visit each pantry’s website to view their most up-to-date donation needs and find instructions on facilitating a drop-off. 

The Medway community’s spirit of generosity becomes even more critical as winter approaches. Supporting your local food pantry means extending a hand to your neighbors in need to ensure everyone has a warm meal and a reason to be thankful this holiday season.