Veterans Transition House and Mass Health Connector

Veterans Transition House (VTH) outreach specialist Larry Moore was at the pantry today with information on the VTH which helps homeless and at-risk veterans and their families in the Massachusetts South Coast area. The VTH provides shelter and services, with a special focus on healing from substance abuse and learning new life skills. Learn more about the Veterans Transition House here and learn more about Larry here.

 Massachusetts Health Connector representatives Ana, Chanel, Valentina and Ana  were also on hand today to provide information to interested pantry participants. The Connector is a resource for learning about affordable health and dental insurance from the state’s leading carriers. Learn more about  Massachusetts Health Connector here.

Bishop Stang Students Help at Pantry

Yesterday students from Bishop Stang High School joined with our regular volunteers to serve more than 300 persons. Their compassion, energy and enthusiasm was gratefully appreciated. Thank you to all.

Leadership and Coordination

For a first time visitor to the pantry, each Thursday's food distribution may seem to flow almost effortlessly, but in fact, our volunteers gather well before the pantry opens to prepare for and coordinate the day's tasks. Key to this coordination is the leadership and guidance provided by Stacie Hallal . Each volunteer looks to Stacie for direction and clarification as the pantry gets underway, and Stacie, seen in several of the photos below from last week, is always quick with a resolution that invariable works. Thank you Stacie.

Care, Respect and Conversation

On Thursday morning each week when the food pantry is in operation the hall downstairs at Saint Anthony's is transformed into a community of care, respect and conversation. Our volunteers, our pantry visitors and our generous donors together make this happen. It makes a difference in many lives and last week as food was distributed for Easter meals was a true joy to see.

A Rainy Day in New Bedford ...

... but 50° and rain is a great deal better than we've had recently and we are thankful. Another day of unloading and moving food from the truck, setting up, checking in pantry visitors, collecting tickets, distributing bread, rice, eggs and more, as well as providing lunch. This wouldn't be possible without our dedicated volunteers ... and again we are thankful.

Bishop Stang Cereal Drive

Thank you to Bishop Stang's National Honor Society for their efforts in once more collecting cereal for distribution at the pantry ... this is the 5th year that they have so generously given.

Bishop Stang Honor Society

Students at Bishop Stang loading cereal into the pantry truck

Cereal ready for distribution

Fishes and Loaves ... and more

Thanks to the Friendly Sons of St Patrick and Mr. Flynn who donated 900 lbs of frozen fish patties and rolls, to the students at Bishop Stang who donated many, many boxes of cereal, to the Greater Boston Food Bank, to the New Bedford Hunger Commission and to our many food distribution and food preparation volunteers there was an abundance of plenty for those who braved more cold temperatures and fierce winds to come to the pantry this Thursday. Thanks also to Father Murphy for his inspirational prayer and remarks before the pantry opened.