Health & Fitness
Reducing Hunger in Swampscott
Drop by the Stop & Shop in Vinin Square on Saturday and help reduce hunger among our neighbors.
The holidays are coming to a close, but for many of our neighbors, hunger continues to be an ever present and growing problem. Local authorities have stated that the demand for food assistance has tripled since 2006. It's nice to see that some of our good citizens are doing something about it.
The Democratic Committees of Nahant and Swampscott as well as the North Shore Young Democrats will join forces in a food drive this Saturday, Jan. 7 at the in Vinin Square. Non-perishable foods will be collected for a number of food pantries in Salem, Lynn and Swampscott. Customers will be asked to take a “wish list” of needed food items with them as they shop, and when they leave the store to contribute one or more of these items. Cash donations will also be appreciated.
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The Swampscott Democrats have been conducting these food drives every month, rain, snow or shine at various supermarkets around the area for about 2 ½ years.
“The food drive is just one part of the Swampscott Democratic Committee’s (SDTC) response to President Obama’s Call to Service for America” said Ralph Edwards, SDTC Chairman. “For our democracy to work and for our community to thrive, all of us need to be involved. It’s not just the voting — though that is very important — it’s discussing the issues, seeking solutions, and helping our neighbor.”
Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Swampscott’s Laura Coppola Spathanos has been leading the SDTC’s Reduce Hunger project for over a year. “Thus far we have collected tens of thousands of pounds of food for area food pantries”, said Spathanos.
“Both the downturn in our economy and national food policies contribute to an increase in hunger in our communities.” states Edwards. “Food pantries report an increase in middle-class families experiencing layoffs seeking their services. We need to learn more about food policies that contribute to what’s called ‘food insecurity’– people having difficulty finding money to have sufficient food on the table.”
I’ll be there between 10 and 11 tomorrow morning. Why don’t you stop by and help us reduce hunger in our community?
