Haggerty and Day secure $15,000 in funding for Local Food Pantry
BOSTON – State Representatives Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn) and Michael S. Day (D-Stoneham) have successfully secured $15,000 in state funding for the Council for Social Concern’s Food Pantry to help address food insecurity issues due to the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic.
“Food insecurity continues to be a very difficult issue affecting our community, it is my hope that these resources will assist the food pantry in providing the support that individuals and families need,” said Representative Haggerty. “As we deal with the economic fallout of COVID-19 we must be mindful of the everyday challenges faced by our friends and neighbors.”
“The Council of Social Concern provides essential help to those facing the most dire challenges, and it does so while allowing its clients to maintain dignity and hope, two things needed now more than ever,” said Representative Day. “This funding will fill a gap as we approach the colder weather and the holiday season, and we are pleased our colleagues and the Administration agreed with us on the merits of allocating these resources to the Council at this time.”
The food pantry funding was included in the $1.1 billion COVID-19 supplemental budget, enacted by the House and Senate and then signed into law by Governor Baker. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources contacted the Council of Social Concern this week with the news that, as a core program, its food pantry qualified for the direct budgetary earmark.
“This will be a great help to us in buying food for the holidays, as the postal food drive will not be taking place this fall, said Executive Director Dean Solomon of the Woburn Council of Social Concern, Inc. “This funding will mean that we can continue to provide families in need with food for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Council of Social Concern’s Food Pantry serves the communities of Woburn and Winchester, is in critical need of donations to help our neighbors in need during the COVID-19 crisis. For more information on how you can help keep the shelves stocked during this difficult time by donating, call (781) 935-6495 or email Paula Matthews directly at paula@socialconcern.org. The Food Pantry’s hours are (by appointment):
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:45am – 12pm and 1:30-3pm.
Wednesday Evenings from 6-7pm
If you cannot make an appointment, Emergency boxes are available Monday through Friday from 9am – 4:30 pm. Monetary donations are also welcome, and can be made at www.socialconcern.org.
