Longtime resident Angela Correia has been a client at the Arlington Food Pantry for many years.
She loves the pantry. All of the volunteers say “hi” to her. The food she gets keeps her cabinets full. The volunteers even slip Correia an extra box of angel hair macaroons because they know it’s her favorite.
After the excellent treatment she received, Correia knew she wanted to give back.
Now, every time she goes to the pantry, she hands out bags of homemade cookies to all of the volunteers. Most of the time, they are anise cookies, but sometimes she will mix it up with oatmeal or chocolate chip.
“You can’t believe the wonderful people that volunteer to serve the residents of Arlington,” said Correia during a recent interview at Starbucks. “Every single one of them has a special place in my heart.”
A resident of Arlington since 1952, Correia still lives in the home she and her husband first moved into on Fairmont Street.
Her husband, a World War II veteran, was the boss of a trucking company in Somerville before relocating to Brighton. The two raised three children together. In the 1990s, Correia’s husband got very sick from a number of complications and passed away in 1998 after 50 years of marriage.
The food pantry has helped Correia stay in town as taxes have grown over the years.
“It saves me a bundle of money from going shopping at other grocery stores,” she said.
The volunteers at Arlington Food Pantry know Correia and her cookies well.
"Angie is a sweetheart,” said Peg Barry, a volunteer. “The cookies she makes are delicious and they are something we look forward to. It makes our volunteer shift that much better."
"I enjoy seeing Angie come through the line with her cheerful smile and warm greeting,” added Judy Andrews, another volunteer. “We look forward to her delicious cookies."
Andi Doane, director of the Arlington Food Pantry, said the cookies are a big hit and nice treat for the volunteers that spend countless hours donating their time to make sure the that no resident goes hungry.
"Often times, our shoppers want to give back to the pantry and community after they have received their food,” she said. “Angie has found a unique way to say thank you.”
For the 87-year-old who knows all of the volunteers, it’s just a fun way of returning the favor.
“I love going there and they love my cookies,” said Correia. “I love making people smile.”
