Food Security United States Project #17969

The Greater Boston Food Bank

by The Greater Boston Food Bank

Project Report | Feb 22, 2016
Lisa's Story

By Melanie Toner | Corporate Relations Associate

Lisa

At 35, Lisa’s diagnosis with aggressive Multiple Sclerosis threw her stable home into chaos and poverty. Maintaining a balanced, nutrient-dense diet is critical to helping her avoid the malnutrition associated with MS that causes fatigue and worsens major symptoms. Lisa gets the healthy, made-from-scratch meals she needs to fight her disease from Community Servings, a local food and nutrition program that receives a variety of food from The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB).

“My husband and I had just bought a house to renovate in Quincy, and I remember walking on the front grass one day and feeling a strange numbness in my feet. My doctors told me I had a virus and it would go away, but for five years, I lived with what I believed to be a virus, suffering from a number of side effects including stumbling and clumsiness. Finally, after more tests, I was diagnosed with primary progressive MS, which is extremely fast moving. I was in a wheelchair within five years of being diagnosed.

“Our kitchen wasn’t wheelchair accessible and the nature of MS made the act of cooking extremely difficult. Before Community Servings, I felt guilty that I was no longer able to prepare nutritious meals for my husband. I would often share my hospital meals with him to ensure that he would eat.

“Now that we are receiving weekly, home-delivered meals from Community Servings, we have enough to eat. I don’t have to make sacrifices in my diet or feel guilty that I am able to eat, while my husband is not. We don’t have to worry about food preparation and we are able to look forward to having a variety of good meals every day, that include wild rice, homemade soups and fresh in-season vegetable like butternut squash and asparagus.

“MS has made me extremely bony and thin, but I still have a large appetite. I went from an empty refrigerator and not eating to having three nutritious meals daily. We couldn’t, at the same time, care for my physical needs and do all that is required to prepare nutritious meals. Community Servings, and the food they receive from GBFB, is truly the best option for ensuring we have access to a variety of balanced meals every day.”

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Nov 24, 2015
Andre's Story

By Melanie Toner | Corporate Relations Associate

Every week, 82-year-old Andre picks up healthy food from the Franciscan Food Center in downtown Boston, which receives most of its food from The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB). He is like so many other seniors in eastern Massachusetts living on fixed or limited incomes, and unable to afford enough nutritious food to avoid hunger. This is Andre’s story.

“I grew up in Haiti, and worked as an elementary school teacher for 19 years. When my father died, it was me who took care of my mother and younger sisters and brother. But it was hard. I had to work, work, work!

“Soon, I had my own family to support, and I stayed working hard all the time. It wasn’t easy. Then, my little sister who I’d helped to raise came to live in Dorchester, and I came for a visit. Right away, I knew my family would have a better life here, so we immigrated to this country.

“We were so grateful to be in Massachusetts, where my daughters could get a good education, and grow up safe and successful. I gave up teaching, and found work at the hospital – in housekeeping and in the kitchen, and as a nurse assistant. Those were hard jobs, but I was proud to be able to provide for my family.

“When I turned 65, I had to stop working because I was just too tired! My income is small, so I moved to Unquity House in Milton and started going to St. Anthony’s Shrine in downtown Boston. At their exercise class for seniors, I learned about the food pantry at the Franciscan Food Center. Since then, I’ve been coming every Thursday to help supplement my grocery budget. I love the Franciscans! Thank God for them.

“What I like about the pantry is that I can choose the foods I want, and the volunteers help me pick out healthier foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables. Having that food during the holiday season means a lot! “I visit the pantry every week because it helps keep me strong and healthy. I’m still an acolyte, contributing and staying active in my church. I turned 82 in late September, but I don’t look it!”

Links:

http://www.gbfb.org

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Aug 25, 2015
FY15 Q4 Report

By Antonn Bryant | Corporate & Foundations Relations Associate

Twenty-two-year-old Mindy and her three-year-old daughter live with her parents in Medford. Her father is still working, but her mother had to stop due to illness. Like too many in eastern Massachusetts, even though a family member is working, Mindy’s family can’t afford the food they need to stay active and healthy. She and her family receive healthy foods each month from The Greater Boston Food Bank’s (GBFB) Mobile Market at the Hallmark Health System, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) offices in Malden.

“I came to WIC because I wanted my daughter to be healthy, and they have really helped me with all my struggles. I don’t know where I’d be without the people here.

“When my mom got sick and had to stop working, we cut back on everything. There just wasn’t enough to pay all the bills. Plus, we realized the healthy food that is good for my daughter was expensive.

"The monthly market at WIC makes a big difference for us. My mom and I shop together, and she loves the fresh vegetables and fruits they have. Cooking her special dishes for us makes her happy. Getting meat and the basics, like pasta and rice, means we can save on our grocery budget. I can take that money and provide a better life for my daughter.

"I also started volunteering at the mobile market and, a few years ago, WIC hired me as a program assistant. I staff the front desk, and part of my job is to help with client registration for the GBFB food distribution.

"I’m so grateful for the help my family is receiving and the skills that I have learned, but I see others who are a lot worse off – people who are really struggling. I’m glad to see them getting help, and to be part of that work. Because there are many places in the world where there is no help. We’re lucky.”

Links:

http://www.gbfb.org

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