An Update From The Bedford Community Table/Pantry

Press release from the Town of Bedford:

November 3, 2021

On behalf of the Bedford Community Table/Pantry, please see the following update featuring ways you can help fellow Bedford residents in the coming months:

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As we head into the winter holiday season, various groups have asked how they can help meet the needs of economically insecure Bedford residents.

First, a bit of recent history: The pandemic drastically increased the need for food assistance in Bedford. In response, the town created the Bedford Food Bank, managed by the Bedford Youth and Family Services Dept., funded by the Bedford Emergency Relief Fund and staffed by volunteers. The smaller Bedford Food Pantry, operated by the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Bedford Community Table/ Pantry, Inc. (BCT/P), went on hiatus, and BCT/P became the major Food Bank supporter, providing food, funding, and volunteers. The Food Bank now serves about 120 Bedford households a week.

How you can help:

Thanksgiving Meals: Continuing the Bedford Food Pantry tradition, Food Bank clients will get all the ingredients for a turkey dinner. If you would like to donate turkeys, sides or desserts in bulk, contact Bedford Food Bank Coordinator Carla Olson at 781-275-7727 x4330 or colson@bedfordma.gov.

Diaper and Personal Item Bank: The Diaper Bank provides the Food Bank with diapers, baby wipes, feminine products, etc.. To donate items, use the Amazon Wishlist at https://bit.ly/BedfordDiaperBank.

Community Social Worker Christopher Bang, 781-918-4328 or cbang@bedfordma.gov, can answer any questions.

Holiday Gift Card Program: Last year, Youth and Family Services brightened the holidays for 96 Bedford children by giving their parents gift cards to buy them gifts. YFS accepts gift cards from Target, Walmart and Amazon.

If you are interested in donating gift cards, please contact Community Social Worker Christopher Bang at 781-918-4328 or cbang@bedfordma.gov.

Winter Coat Drive: The Coat Drive works with the Bedford Neighbor Brigade and Cradles to Crayons to collect winter clothing for Bedford residents in need. Unused coats, hats and gloves are always welcome. To donate brand new outerwear, please contact Youth Social Worker Mackenzie Comeau at 781-918-4331 or mcomeau@bedfordma.gov.

Financial Support: Monetary gifts are always welcome. As of November 8, the Bedford Emergency Relief Fund will stop accepting direct contributions and will rely on BCT/P for fundraising and funding. Make a tax-deductible contribution at http://www.bedfordfoodpantry.org/content/donate or mail a check to Bedford Community Table/Pantry, Inc., 12 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730. We happily accept donations from donor advised funds, employer programs, etc.

I hope this list has piqued your interest. The enthusiastic support of these efforts is part of what makes Bedford such a special community, and we are endlessly grateful.

With thanks,

Deborah Quinn, Vice President
Bedford Community Table/Pantry, Inc.

This press release was produced by the Town of Bedford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.