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Want to help fight hunger in Boston? Here are 5 ways to do it.
Here are volunteer and donation opportunities to help food-insecure families in Boston.
With the country in the longest government shutdown in recorded history and the delayed SNAP payments this month, some in Massachusetts are looking for ways to support families in need of food assistance or mobilizing their own community efforts.
In the Bay State, more than one million people are impacted by the SNAP cuts, according to the Mass. SNAP Resource Hub. Among those recipients, 32 percent are children, 31 percent are people with disabilities, and 26 percent are seniors.
Boston.com has gathered a list of practical ways to support some of the organizations, community fridges, and mutual aid efforts addressing food insecurity. Below, here are 5 ways to volunteer or donate in Boston.
5 ways to help fight food insecurity in Boston right now
- Donate to the Greater Boston Food Bank: The GBFB operates out of its facility in South Boston and partners with more than 600 organizations and distribution sites across Eastern Massachusetts. According to their website, every $3 donated provides two meals.
- Get matched with someone in need through the Allston-Brighton Food Train mutual aid effort. According to the Google Form, donors will responsible for donating and transporting food items to their assigned family/families at least once during the month of November.
- Volunteer at East Boston Community Soup Kitchen. After filling out an application, volunteers can serve and prepare meals, and donate food and supplies. There are also opportunities to donate kitchen supplies from their wishlist, a grocery gift card, or donate clothes and other necessities. Due to storage limitations, EBCSK encourages first reaching out via e-mail or Facebook message.
- Donate food to a community fridge. The Boston Globe shared a list of community fridges to donate, including the Dorchester Community Fridge. The City of Boston has also provided a toolkit of guidelines and resources.
- Donate spices to the Boston Public Library Spice Bank. Bring unopened spices and herbs to support the Boston Public Library’s mission of helping families in need of food assistance maintain cultural identity and family traditions. Participating branch locations are listed on BPL’s website.
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