Schools across the North Shore have closed the books on another year.
For many children, it is the most wonderful time of the year, filled with vacations, camps, barbecues and family outings. Unfortunately for a growing number of other children, however, it is a time when they face going hungry.
During the school year, eligible children are afforded free or subsidized meals. But when the schools close, they lose the security and nutrition provided by a school breakfast, lunch or both.
According to the Project Bread 2009 Status on Hunger Report, children who eat school breakfast and lunches are eating more nutritionally sound foods, boosting their health and capacity to learn. The return on the investment in these programs is realized through long-term, positive health and educational outcomes. Outside of school, and in the summer months in particular, a nutritional gap exists for these children. Our local food pantries and community parks and recreation programs team up to try to address this widening gap. Summer meal programs allow eligible children to get meals in safe environments without stigma.
At the same time, local pantries are bracing themselves for the end of the school year when they know children and their families need help.
Local food pantries are already being pushed to their limit. As our economy recovers from an unprecedented global financial crisis with growing populations of those such as first-time unemployed single men, Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, and our elderly neighbors on fixed incomes, more and more people are relying on our area food pantries. But with stretched budgets and a record-level demand, those pantries need your help more than ever before.
Last October, my charity held a large-scale food drive in which the business community, higher educational institutions, community groups, health care systems, elected officials, families and neighbors, provided more than 45,000 bags of groceries to North Shore residents and families. This was a true team effort that by all measures was a great success.
Unfortunately the fruits of this drive have been used up and the food pantries are again in crisis going into the summer months. I am asking you to remember that this time of year is critical to our local pantries.
The heart and empathy the North Shore demonstrated at the fall food drive was inspiring. Therefore, as you stock up on supplies for Fourth of July barbecues and family camp and beach trips, I ask you to once again remember your neighbors and their children in need.
Please consider donating the following items, suggested by Beverly Bootstraps in order to ensure adequate supplies to summer meals programs: juice boxes (100-percent juice), individually packaged snacks, granola bars, individually packaged cheese sticks, whole fruits, individually packaged vegetables, and individually packaged yogurts. Contact your local pantry for a more specific list of their summer needs.
Acord (Hamilton) www.acordfoodpantry.org 978-468-7424
Beverly Bootstraps (Beverly) www.beverlybootstraps.org 978-927-1561
The Open Door (Gloucester) www.capeannfoodpantry.org 978-283-6776
Danvers People to People Food Pantry (Danvers) 978-739-4188
Haven From Hunger (Peabody) 978-531-1530
Ipswich Food Pantry (Ipswich) 978-356-6650
My Brothers Table (Lynn) www.mybrotherstable.org 781-595-3224
Our Neighbor's Table (Amesbury), www.ourneighborstable.com 978-388-1907
Pettengill House (Salisbury) www.pettengillhouse.org 978-463-8801
Salvation Army (Salem/Beverly) 978-744-5181 or 978-922-4522
St. Joseph's Food Pantry (Salem) www.saintjosephsfoodpantry.com 978-744-2532
• • •
Fred Berry of Peabody is majority leader of the Massachusetts Senate, representing the 2nd Essex District (Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield). He is also CEO and founder of the Fred Berry Charitable Fund.
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