The South’s famous hospitality usually gets the most prominent lip service, but what about New England’s generosity when it comes to social services?
Whenever there’s a need in Franklin County, our community rallies around the cause and provides nonjudgmental aid. From innovative programs tackling the region’s public health needs to creative ideas for seniors living at home and outside-the-box housing solutions such as Greenfield’s Family Inn, what our region lacks in finances it more than makes up for with its ingenuity.
The Mobile Food Bank in Greenfield and Turners Falls is another example of this.
The mobile service, which is sponsored by the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Franklin County Community Meals Program, distributes fresh produce, meat and dairy from a few different locations each month (specifically, from Oak Courts in Greenfield on the second Wednesday of each month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., and the Council on Aging in Turners Falls from 1:20 to 2:30 p.m. every third Wednesday).
Between the two local sites, the Mobile Food Bank — which started with four sites about eight years ago and has since grown to 26 sites across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties — delivered food to 2,458 individuals last year, according to Daniel Finn, executive director of Greenfield’s Housing Authority. About 32 percent of those who received food were children, 22 percent were seniors and the rest were adults.
“The percent of seniors we served is higher than at some of our other sites because one of the two sites in Franklin County is a senior center,” said the food bank’s executive director, Andrew Morehouse.
Hunger cuts across demographics and oftentimes goes hand-in-hand with other social struggles like poverty and transportation needs. If someone doesn’t have a car or can’t move around by themselves, how will they get to the supermarket or local food pantry? And, if they don’t have money, how will they purchase healthy ingredients, which are sometimes more expensive than more sugary food types?
By bringing fresh and healthy food directly to those who need it, the Mobile Food Bank transcends all of those challenges, allowing those in need to invest their money into other needs like housing or health care. The food, which is protein-rich and oftentimes locally produced, is free, donated by Stop & Shop, local farmers and others who are concerned about hunger. There are no eligibility requirements and no questions asked — although participants are asked to bring a box for the food.
It’s a creative solution to a pervasive problem, and we commend those who give of their time and effort for the betterment of their neighbors, such as Kim Malcolm, of Gill, who began volunteering at the Turners Falls site a few years ago.
Each month, Malcolm and about 10 other volunteers — from high school students to retirees — unload eight to 10 pallets of food.
“There are a lot of people lined up every month,” Malcolm said. “I do this because I care.”
It’s people like Malcolm and all those at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Franklin County Community Meals Program who make our region such a welcoming place to live. So, on behalf of our editorial board, thanks.