Volunteer spreads word about Middleton Food Pantry - Wicked Local Boxford

Volunteer spreads word about Middleton Food Pantry - Wicked Local Boxford

The Middleton Food Pantry has been open for eight years, but many local residents still don't know about it. One volunteer hopes to change that.

Wendall Waters wwaters@wickedlocal.com @MaldenObserver

Since the Middleton Food Pantry opened eight years ago in the space at the Senior Center on Maple Street, it's gone from serving five to 10 families per week to helping some 35-40 each week. But, still, many local residents don't even know about it.

Volunteer Roberta Curtain wants to change that. 

"At least two people came in this season and said, 'Gee. I didn't even know Middleton had a food pantry,'" Curtain says. 

Donations, Curtain says, come from many different sources.

Food Pantry Executive Director Frank Leary works with local companies for major donations. For instance, Ferncroft donated over half the turkeys for the pantry's Thanksgiving distribution, which helped 38 local families, Curtain says.

Local organizations, Scout groups, classrooms and individuals also make important contributions. A resident of Fuller Pond Village, Curtain says, came by to find out what the pantry needed for Thanksgiving and then put flyers up in the complex. The residents came through with bags of canned goods, stuffing, gravy, and more.

Plus, there is a collection box at Market Basket on Rt. 114.

Individuals and families can come to the all-volunteer pantry on Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m. to gather groceries in a market-like setting, Curtain says. But, at this busy time of year, Fridays aren't the only days the pantry needs help.

"There are other days of the week when volunteers may be needed," Curtain says. "Around the holidays, we need people with pickup trucks."

How to help

There are several ways you can help: 

Mail a donation:

Middleton Food Pantry

P.O. Box 855

Middleton, MA 01949 

Donate gift cards and goods at:

Downstairs at the Senior Center

38 Maple Street/Rt. 62 

Food donation drop-off times:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Friday, 1-3 p.m. 

Items most needed:

Coffee, tuna fish, peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti sauce, soup, cereal (family size), crackers, rice, detergent, toilet tissue