Temporary Pop-Up Food Delivery Site
A temporary Food Pantry Delivery Service will be set up to help meet any food needs of at-risk residents during the COVID-19 crisis
POSTED ON: MARCH 18, 2020 - 11:55AM
Mayor Robert L. Hedlund announced that the Town of Weymouth will be setting up a temporary Food Pantry Delivery Service for anybody who is immunocompromised or cannot make the regular Pop-Up Pantries for health reasons, to help meet any food needs of Weymouth residents during the COVID-19 crisis. This effort will be organized in partnership with Weymouth Elder Services (Karen Johnston, Director) and the Weymouth Food Pantry (Pam Denholm, Executive Director). The first delivery is expected to arrive from the Weymouth Food Pantry on Friday, March 21.
“Almost immediately after the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis began to hit, we received calls from Weymouth resident asking how they can help. I thank Pam and Karen for stepping up to coordinate this effort to help our neighbors in need,” said Mayor Hedlund.
Seniors or others who are in need of having food delivered should call Weymouth Elder Services at 781-682-6140.
“I’ve always loved Weymouth’s community spirit,” said Denholm, Executive Director of Weymouth Food Pantry. “We were so grateful when Karen Johnston, Director of Elder Services reached out to see how they could help.” In addition to the many phone calls from concerned neighbors who have been worried if the pantry will be staying open in the weeks to come, the Pantry has also received phone calls from neighbors who want to help.
Elder Services staff will use a scaled down ‘shopping’ list of only nonperishable food to prepare bags to order, which will be delivered by volunteers. Volunteer drivers will have a CORI check and be screened for any health concerns.
Director Johnston of Weymouth Elder Services said, “I’m excited to lend a helping hand to the wonderful leaders at the Weymouth Food Pantry. They simply are not going to be able to handle this endeavor alone and we are happy to shift our gears to assist any senior or others during this time of need. We don’t know what to expect, but we will make the best of everything and take it one step at a time.”
This new food delivery service is a door-to-door delivery service, staffed by employees at the senior center, with volunteer drivers picking up the deliveries at the door. Volunteers will not enter the senior center nor will not enter any homes to carry bags inside.
To help make this a success, we’re asking for your donations of nonperishable food and toiletries. We thank the many who have already reached out to ask how they can help!
Weymouth Elder Services will serve as a collection site. Donations of nonperishable food and toiletries can be dropped off on tables located outside the main entrance of the Whipple Senior Center at 182 Green Street - daily Monday – Friday from 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Nonperishable food and toiletries can be left during these business hours only. Monetary donations should be mailed to the Weymouth Food Pantry at PO Box 890009, Weymouth, MA 02189. The building will not be open to the public, but staff will bring in items as delivered. Donations will be taken back to the main warehouse for a mandatory expiration check and 48-hour quarantine.
Nonperishable food can also be delivered to the main Food Pantry pop up sites as well as their food distribution site at 40B Reservoir Street, Rockland MA
For any questions, please call Weymouth Elder Services at 781-682-6140.