Summer weather doesn't lessen the need
Hunger and food insecurity is not necessarily the first thing that comes to mind on a beautiful summer day in a town that is filled with harbor views and many a stately home. However, Marblehead does indeed have many food insecure residents who struggle to make ends meet.
The Marblehead Food Pantry, founded in 1991 to meet a community need, provides an average of 60 people a week with groceries and household goods. Janet Parker, the pantry’s director and a volunteer for over 23 years, oversees operations.
Parker said more than 180 Marblehead households use the pantry’s services, either regularly or occasionally, and about 30 percent of those households include children. There is a wide range of clients, including two parent families, single mothers with children, and single adults, including many senior citizens, she said.
The pantry is supported completely by the community, Parker noted. It receives no federal funding, relying solely on donations and is operated by about 40 volunteers, along with Parker.
“It is truly a community effort,” Parker emphasized.
The pantry is lucky in that the list of organizations, individuals, and businesses that support that it is long. Marbleheaders have stepped up to assists the neediest residents through a variety of efforts including: SPUR, which provides fresh produce from its community garden, the Marblehead Community Store provides meat at cost, Starbucks and Shubie’s provide day-old breads and other foods, Star of the Sea and the Masonic Lodge provide food storage space and the local banks, schools, and religious and scout organizations contribute food donations and volunteers.
And Parker is grateful for every contribution, large or small.
Parker first came to Marblehead in 1974 and she loves both the town and its people. She said came here to become the organist and music director at St. Andrew’s Church, a job she held for 41 years before retiring in 2015. Today, she’s dedicated to the pantry, working anywhere from 10-30-plus hours a week. Her responsibilities include organizing the volunteers, food and deliveries, updating paperwork and spreadsheets, and interacting with the clients.
“I enjoy the combination of administrative and detail-oriented aspects of the position, along with the personal interactions with the clients,” she said.
It’s been 23 years since Parker started, and she’s just as busy as ever.
The pantry is open on Tuesdays 9 a.m.–noon, and Thursdays 12:30-3 p.m. and 5:30–7 p.m. Located in the Star of the Sea Parish Center next to Seaside Park on Atlantic Avenue, the door is located near the basketball court.
The only requirement for use of the pantry is proof of Marblehead residency. No personal, employment or financial information is asked except name, address, telephone, and number of children and adults in the household. A resident may use the pantry once a week.
Want to help?
Items of particular need in the pantry include low-sodium non-perishable foods, canned fruits and baby diapers in size 4, 5 and 6. Paper goods, personal hygiene items such as soap and shampoo, and household cleaning supplies (new, unopened) are also welcome. All donated food should be within expiration dates.
In addition, fresh produce is always welcome. Parker noted that during this time of year, many local residents get a bumper crop of tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans and other vegetables from their gardens.
“It would be wonderful to receive fresh produce from personal gardens…it would be very welcome,” she said.
Financial contributions to the pantry are also well received. Donated funds are used to buy fresh meat and any other foods that are in low supply. Checks may be made payable to the Marblehead Food Pantry and mailed or brought to the pantry, which is a 501(c) (3) corporation, and donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Persons who are interested in learning more about the pantry or might like to volunteer can contact Parker at jfitchparker@gmail.com.
Food donations can be dropped off during operating hours.
