South End Food Pantry Seeking Donations

With the holiday season fast approaching, one South End food pantry is asking residents to consider donating goods to those in need.

El Centro del Cardenal Food Pantry, located in the basement of the , is asking for donations of green beans/canned corn, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, cornbread mix, gravy mix and non-perishable desserts for its Thanksgiving bags.

Food Pantry Director Beth Chambers, also Program Director at Catholic Charities Boston, which runs the pantry, said the number of people visiting El Centro has been steadily increasing. The pantry currently distributes up to 10,000 pounds of food each month, she said.

“We are absolutely expecting this number to continue going up due to the fact that there are no other food pantries in the vicinity that serve those in need on a monthly basis,” she added.

El Centro has long served needy members of Boston’s Latino and African American population, but volunteers recently noticed an uptick in Asian and elderly residents visiting the pantry in need of food. The shift has been chalked up to the fact that El Centro is the only pantry in the area with minimal applications requirements and sufficient hours of operation. There are no income guidelines or restrictions for those needing food, Chambers said.  

“Those needing food can come once a month. They just need to show their card and they can pick up a bag of food and select fresh fruit and vegetables and bread, when available,” she said.

The pantry is open three days a week, from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Brown Bag event is a great way for residents to get involved this holiday season, Chambers said. Hosting food drives in businesses or among friends to gather donations is also encouraged. The most needed items are cereal, canned soup, rice, pasta and spaghetti sauce.

To volunteer at El Centro, or for more information on donating, call (617) 506-6600.