Wakefield Food Pantry's Kids First 2025 Summer Program Supports Many Families

The Wakefield Food Pantry’s (WFP) Kids First team ran a very successful summer program in 2025, which provided families of school-aged children with healthy, kid-friendly food. WFP’s Kids First program helps battle food insecurity by distributing food during the summer when free school breakfast and lunch programs are not available.

This year, Kids First served 75 families with a total of 138 children who received healthy, nutritious, and delicious food items throughout the summer. The program assisted families through grocery deliveries and on-site pickups at the WFP.

Many thanks go to all the volunteers and the Wakefield Community with special shout-outs to Sentinel Group and the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church.

“We are delighted that we could help so many families and their children get the nourishment they need during the summer months when they don’t have access to free breakfasts and lunches offered during the school year,” said Maureen Miller, Executive Director of the WFP.

In addition to the food distributions, WFP, with the help of Optikos Corp., was able to provide school supplies and backpacks to the students.

Throughout the year, families and individuals in need are encouraged and welcomed to shop for food and supplies at the WFP, located at 467 Main Street on the lower level. Open hours for the Pantry are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 1 pm and Thursday night from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Plus, the WFP offers Little Free Pantries located around the town that provide food items 24/7. Check out the latest locations on the Pantry’s website: wakefieldfoodpantry.org.