Pearl Street Cupboard & Café Expands Hot Meal Program, After Gift From Lutheran Church of Framingham

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FRAMINGHAM – In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Way of Tri-County’s Pearl Street Cupboard & Café received a generous donation from members of the Lutheran Church of Framingham. The purpose of these funds is to increase capacity by expanding hot meals to include weekends.

The newly expanded program opened last weekend and 46 individuals were provided with American Chop Suey on Saturday and Shepherd’s Pie on Sunday. Both days meals included a hearty salad, bread, butter, and desserts, served by dedicated staff and volunteers.

The food program is located at 46 Park Street in the heart of Downtown Framingham and is open to anyone in need, no registration or enrollment is required.

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The addition of weekend meals is possible as a result of the program’s partnership with the Lutheran Church of
Framingham whose congregation generously donated funds to support the program for 12 months.

Deacon Susan Lindberg Haley of the Lutheran Church of Framingham said, “As long time partners with the Pearl St. Cupboard & Cafe, the people of the Lutheran Church of Framingham give this funding to United Way of Tri-County with great joy and gratitude for their ongoing good work in providing hot meals to our neighbors in need. Their willingness to expand their meal services in Framingham in this time of pandemic is inspiring. Truly, they are doing God’s work and we are delighted we can support them.”

Paul Mina, President & CEO at the United Way of Tri-County added,“ While many food security programs across the state are slowing down or reducing hours, the additional funds will allow us to increase our ability to feed more people,” said Paul Mina, President & CEO at the United Way of Tri-County. “The church’s response to the public health crisis has been incredibly heartwarming and we will never forget their act of kindness and generosity,” Mina added.

While safety restrictions continue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sit-down meals at the Pearl Street Café are
still on hold. All meals right now are served as take-out only.

Pearl Street Cupboard & Café food program includes a food pantry in addition to their hot meals program.
The food pantry is open every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesday
evenings from 5 to 7 p.m.

Hot meals are now served every Monday through Friday evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Saturday and
Sunday from noon to 1 p.m.

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Jonathan Tetrault, Vice President of Distribution Services at the Greater Boston Good Bank said about the
expanded meal program, “The United Way of Tri-County has been an excellent local partner for The Greater
Boston Food Bank for many years, during this COVID-19 pandemic has been no different.  They have continued
to robustly support the greater Framingham area through their pantry and hot meal operations, their regional
cross dock supporting many area food programs, and Mass211 call center supporting the many people now
experiencing unemployment and food insecurity. We applaud all of the safety precautions they have taken to
ensure guests, volunteers and staff remain safe and welcome this new expansion of their Pearl Street Café
meals to include weekends.”

Donations to all United Way programs and services are always welcome and gratefully accepted.

Donations can be made via the United Way of Tri-County website at www.uwotc.org/donate

For more information about the United Way of Tri-County’s Pearl Street Cupboard & Café please visit their
website at www.uwotc.org/pearl or call the Pearl Street Cupboard & Café directly at 508-370-4921.