The West Boylston Food Pantry began in 1968 by founders Winnie Hesemeyer and Ann Marie Iaccorino who sought to address food insecurity issues, particularly among senior citizens. The pantry was set up at First Congregational Church, and several other West Boylston parishes--. Our Lady of Good Counsel, Oakdale Methodist, Christ Lutheran Church, Next Level Church and Freedom Worship Center have all collected food and volunteered with distribution over the years.  The community food pantry grew over decades, and many area organizations have offered assistance, especially at the holidays.

 

Today, some of those founding churches have closed, and the community need has expanded greatly. With First Congregational Church of West Boylston changing ownership and the number of families needing assistance growing, it was time to establish the West Boylston Food Pantry as an independent 501(c)(3), to enable it to sustain and grow its capacity without a church affiliation.

 

The new Board of Directors is comprised of local residents and a committed group of volunteers, borrowing space from 26 Central Street and dedicated to the legacy of the original founders.  We look to enhance our infrastructure to provide additional distribution opportunities, scale our efficiencies, and reach more people experiencing food insecurity with new vision and community spirit.  Together, we will continue to be a lifeline and a source of hope for families struggling with the ever-increasing cost of food, and seniors on fixed incomes.

 

Our gardens were started in 2022 by First Congregational Church, growing fresh vegetables to donate to the food pantry. We invite you to come get your hands dirty.