Meet the Moment: Local Food Security
by Rev. Catie Scudera
This week, the federal US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition division announced that due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would not be disbursed on time in November. According to the most recent reports from the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, nearly 680,000 households (representing over a million residents) in our Commonwealth rely on SNAP. That includes 7,355 individuals and families in Needham and adjacent towns (Dedham, Dover, Natick, Newton, Wellesley, and Westwood).
Ways to get help
If you are losing your SNAP benefits, please reach out to Rev. Catie for a disbursement from First Parish’s ministerial discretionary fund.
Local food pantries are preparing for this crisis. Any Massachusetts resident can call Project Bread (1-800-645-8333) to speak with a counselor about getting food. You can also contact the following food pantries directly:
- A Place To Turn 508-655-8868 (serving residents of Natick, Dover, Wellesley, and more)
- Centre Street Food Pantry 617-340-9554 (serving residents of Needham, Newton, Wellesley, and more)
- Dedham Food Pantry 781-269-1541
- Needham Community Council 781-444-2415
- Newton Food Pantry 617-796-1233
- Wellesley Food Pantry 781-235-1188
- Westwood Food Pantry 781-269-2008
First Parishioner Ellen Fine organizes a regional fresh food distribution program through her Community Equitability Group; please be in touch with Ellen at resiliencygardensproject@gmail.com if you are interested in receiving the program’s Food Bags and for information about their Resiliency Gardens project. Students at Needham High also maintain the Needham Community Pantry adjacent to Lewandos Cleaners on Chapel Street. And, if you are a senior, you can call the Center at the Heights (781-455-7555) to learn more about their reduced and free meal programs: Springwell Lunch Program and the Senior Center Lunchtime Cafe.
Ways to help neighbors in need
As Unitarian Universalists at First Parish, we covenant to “live our beliefs through action and care for our world” and “use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.” At the Social Action Forum luncheon on Sunday October 26th, First Parishioners voted on immediate actions to “meet the moment” as a hunger crisis looms. From a generous 2024 grant from the Rands Foundation to support Social Action initiatives, First Parish will donate $250 each to three local food security organizations, with whom we have long-standing partnerships: Canasta Solidaria at the MetroWest Worker Center (Casa); the Community Equitability Group (CEG); and, the Needham Community Council (in lieu of a food drive, per the Community Council’s request). Members of the Social Action Committee are also investigating ways that First Parishioners can engage in legislative advocacy to support food access and justice.
If you are financially able, please consider a donation to a local food bank (as above); to Casa’s Emergency Mutual Aid Fund; or, to CEG’s Food Bag program by sending checks (made out to Community Equitability Group with “SNAP Relief” in the memo line) or Trader Joe’s gift cards (preferably in $25 and $50 amounts) to Ellen’s home in Needham Heights (mailing address available through the church directory).
If you can offer your time and talents, please contact Ellen Fine at resiliencygardensproject@gmail.com about weekly food bag preparation and delivery (help typically needed in shifts all day on Sundays); contact Casa about their current volunteer needs at allies@mwc-casa.org; or, contact your local food pantry, Generic Ministry, and the Needham Community Farm.
First Parishioners gather for the Social Action Forum on Sunday October 26th