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FRAMINGHAM – For the fourth week in a row, the Feeding Framingham initiative distributed free boxes of food to families.
This week, 500 food boxeswere distributed to those in need at Framingham High Saturday morning, May 1.
The USDA Farmers to Families Food Box, has been collaborating with the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, Framingham Public Schools, and with community volunteers to distribute food on Saturday mornings since April 10.
Each food package contains 35 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, and meat products. This week’s box included marinated chicken, fruits and vegetables, a gallon of milk, yogurt, and more.
To sign up for a box of food click here.
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Recipes using contents of USDA Food Boxes – mmsfi4vets.info/recipes/
Nayagara Viera is the coordinator for the Feeding Framingham program.
School Committee member Priscila Sousa volunteered for the first time yesterday. She said the response has been “wonderful” from the families, who were driving up and having the food boxes placed in their vehicle.
She said she was happy that the word was getting out.
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One of the organizers Dana Essigmann said while it is great for the high school to offer their parking lot for the distribution. He hopes to have a new distribution site south of Route 9 or Route 135 for later in May.
For City Councilor Cheryl Tully Stoll, who has been volunteering weekly, agree.
“We need to get the food to those most in need,” said Tully Stoll. “And many of those people don’t even have a vehicle to drive here to get these boxes.”
The first week of distribution, Essignmann, who serves on the Framingham Human Relation Commission, brought the additional boxes to the Second Street neighborhood in District 9. There residents just walked up to the truck to take the box of food.
Essignmann said any Framingham (or MetroWest) family in need should register for the distribution next Saturday on May 8.
The program was created in response to the massive food insecurity problem posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Massachusetts Military Support Foundation (MMSF) is committed to support both veteran communities and the general public. The Foundation was selected as a distribution partner for the USDA’s Farmer’s to Families program, which serves all families who are facing food insecurity challenges.
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Photos & video by Petroni Media Company
MetroWest Medical Center