Thanksgiving will be harder on everyone this year, but for Boston area food pantries, this entire week will be a mad scramble to feed an exploding number of hungry locals while riding the second wave of the pandemic and lockdowns.
“For those of us whose income and health haven’t been impacted, this is a year — more than any other — that we need to step up and be mindful of those in our communities who are really struggling,” urged Massachusetts Salvation Army General Secretary Major Marcus Jugenheimer.
The Salvation Army kicked off the holiday week delivering turkeys and meal packages to more than 600 families in Chelsea Monday, after feeding 2,500 Boston area families over the weekend. Their food pantry now serves up to 700 families daily, compared to an average of 50 families a day before the pandemic hit.
Now, the nonprofit is preparing for a holiday season unlike any other. The Salvation Army is best known for its volunteers ringing a bell on street corners to solicit donations in its red kettles. But the pandemic is forcing the nonprofit to drastically reduce the number of its volunteers out on the streets: foot traffic is down, and people aren’t carrying cash. Jugenheimer estimates kettle donations will be down at least 50% compared to past years, while need is up 150%.
That makes donations online, by mail and by pickup more critical than ever.
“There are going to be more families than ever in need, trying to decide between paying rent, putting food on the table, and getting gifts for kids,” he said.
The Greater Boston Food Bank has set a goal to provide 20 million meals across 190 cities around Boston by the end of December, including holiday meals.
The Food Bank has seen demand at its food pantries jump 110% in 2020, including many new clients who have never visited a food bank before.
“This is unprecedented,” said Food Bank Senior Director Catherine Drennan. “I’ve been with the food bank about seven years. We’re seeing numbers that are worse than the 2008 recession. They’re comparable with the Great Depression.”
The best way to help stock their food pantries is to simply donate money, Drennan said, but time also helps. The Greater Boston Food Bank has slots open for volunteers through the end of 2020.
Ways to Help:
- Join Salvation Army’s Rescue Christmas campaign by donating online or starting your own fundraiser
- Donate to goods, gifts, or vehicles to the Salvation Army: dial 1-800-95-TRUCK for local pick-up
- Donate to the Greater Boston Food Bank: $25 provides a meal for a family in need
- Volunteer at the Greater Boston Food Bank on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Volunteer groups are limited to under 10 individuals due to COVID-19 protocols.
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