January 19, 2021 by Glenn Mangurian
No one should go hungry in America, the richest country in the world. Yet, many of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table. Yes, in Hingham we have families that must stretch their resources to provide for food, housing and health care. The vulnerable are of all ages from children to seniors. It is not relevant how they have arrived in this situation. Their needs are real.
30 Years Serves Hingham Families
The Hingham Food Pantry is an important safety net that serves Hingham families in need. It was established in 1990 by a group of volunteers from 10 churches, the synagogue, and other members of the community. The Food Pantry operates from the Second Parish Church at 685 Main Street. The members of the church have been exceptionally generous in opening their property and hearts to the pantry. The pantry receives its food and funding through the generosity of our fellow citizens, local food establishments and the Greater Boston Food Bank. Monetary donations are used to purchase fresh produce, refrigerated and frozen food items. There is no paid staff. Susan Kiernan is a co-founder of the pantry and its executive director. Her 30 years of leadership is complemented by over 100 volunteers who collect, pickup, shop, bag and deliver food. Many of these volunteers have been offering their time and generous support for over 20 years.
The Need Has More Than Doubled This Holiday Season
Until recently, the pantry served about 250 people per month – 50% adults; 20% children and 30% seniors. Each person chooses food from a menu of available food items for six days, three meals a day. In total 900 bags of food were distributed monthly. In both November and December 2020 the need doubled to over 500 people served and 1,500 bags distributed each month. The Hingham volunteers also direct families to other local resources that can help with their pressing needs.
The pantry now operates a drive-through to receive and distribute food. All volunteers carefully follow CDC guidelines.
Thank You for Your Continued Support
The pantry accepts food donations twice per month at the church. Hingham Stop & Shop, Jack Conway and Coldwell Banker realtors are additional donation spots throughout the month. The next collection of non-perishable, shelf-stable food will be at the Second Parish Church on Monday, February 1 from 2:30-4:00 and Wednesday, February 3 from12:30 to 2:00. Monetary donations are important and used to buy perishable foods. You can drop off a check or mail it to 685 Main Street. For more information, please contact the pantry at Phone: (781) 740.8180 Email: HinghamFood@gmail.com.The next distribution of food will be Tuesday, February 2 from 9:30-noon.
We live in a beautiful town with a rich heritage. It takes a community to feed a community. If you know someone in need, please tell them about the pantry. The Hingham Food Pantry is committed to the families in need because no one in Hingham should go hungry.
Glenn Mangurian has been a resident of Hingham for 35 years. He is a retired business leader with more than four decades of experience driving innovation and results with his clients. Glenn remains active with his writing, speaking, family, and community.
In May 2001, Glenn suffered an injury to his spinal cord, resulting in the paralysis of his lower body. Drawing on his personal experience, he authored an article titled “Realizing What You’re Made Of,” which was published in March 2007 in the Harvard Business Review. In May 2017 he published his first book, Pushing the Edge of Thought, Possibility and Action – Questions and Insights from Everyday Life.
Glenn Mangurian can be reached at: glenn@glennmangurian.com
We are pensioners and wondered if we may be entitled to free food bag as we have a job to make ends meet