When Massachusetts entered a state of emergency on March 10, 2020, the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry had to switch from “client choice shopping,” where clients select items off the shelves themselves, to a drive-thru format, where clients speak to volunteers through a speaker box before loading their pre-packaged groceries into their car. The pantry, on Barnum Road in Devens, provides groceries, health care products, and financial counseling to community members in need from Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley.
“When the pandemic started we barred the clients from coming into the pantry,” said Executive Director Patricia Stern. “We went into emergency mode and we established a drive-thru. [Clients] now talk to our volunteers and our staff from outside in their car, and our folks are inside looking at them through a window. So that was a huge change for us. Our numbers back in March and April skyrocketed to the highest we’ve ever had.”
A roomful of sorted dry goods is ready to be delivered to clients as a group of volunteers (top right) plans the distribution. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Stern estimates that around 60 families would visit Loaves & Fishes during each pantry session. When coronavirus cases spiked in March and April of last year, Stern recalls up to 110 families visiting the pantry during a three-hour pantry session.
Client numbers have since declined, which Stern attributes to stimulus checks and additional financial assistance pertaining to COVID-19 relief.
“We can’t be absolutely certain, but what we hear from our clients is that many of them are better off now financially than they were pre-pandemic,” Stern said. “Many of them are out of a job collecting unemployment, the additional [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] funds, they might have children who are qualifying for breakfast and lunch at their schools—there’s a lot of … extra support that they now have that they didn’t pre-pandemic.”
Stern continued: “And for them, it makes more sense for them to stay at home and not go back to work. Right from the front lines, that’s exactly what we’re hearing.”
And this isn’t unique to Loaves & Fishes clientele. Stern says that other pantries are reporting similar client numbers: “We have roundtable meetings with them via Zoom and we’re hearing that they’re seeing the same thing happening—the numbers have gone down.”
Stern does not expect the lower numbers to last forever, but says Loaves & Fishes is prepared to help people if they need additional food resources once COVID-19 relief is no longer available.
“I would be pretty comfortable in saying that the bottom will fall out. All those funds … will go away eventually. And when that happens, I can tell you that we are poised to accept those increasing numbers,” Stern said.
Stern has worked at Loaves & Fishes since 2008 and said she personally understands the position of some of the pantry’s clients.
Loaves & Fishes Executive Director Patty Stern points out that even gluten-free options are available to clients. Stern has worked at Loaves & Fishes since 2008. (Photo by McKenna Premus)
“Before I came here, I walked in the shoes of some of our clients,” Stern said. “I didn’t have a pantry, but I understand what it’s like in this tough situation. I have compassion for these folks that are here, many of whom are on fixed incomes, others who have lost their job, others who have health issues in their family that are making life difficult for them at home.”
“I can honestly say it’s a job that I come to every day and I feel like I’m making a difference. Working with a great bunch of staff members, and over 300 volunteers, there’s an amazing group of people in these communities that just want to give back and help their neighbors—that’s what we’re all about.”
According to Stern, the pantry provides a family of four with about $250 worth of groceries per visit, including canned and boxed goods, frozen meats, bakery items, and fresh produce supplied by the Greater Boston Food Bank, as well as by individual donations, local food drives, and community-based programs such as the Groton Neighborhood Food Project.
To register with the pantry, new clients need only provide a “proof of residence” in one of the seven communities, such as a current utility bill or school records, and complete an intake registration form with a volunteer. Registered clients can then visit the pantry twice a month to pick up their groceries during open pantry sessions.
Volunteers are essential in carrying out the mission of Loaves & Fishes, and Stern encourages those interested in volunteering to reach out. “If you are able to contribute financially, we love that support. If you can give the gift of your time as a volunteer, we appreciate that as well,” she said.
“This is a respectful environment,” Stern said. “It’s dignified. We adhere to strict confidentiality. If we see you in the grocery store, or at the post office or at school, we will not acknowledge you until you acknowledge us first.”
“If you need us, we’re here. If you know someone who needs us, send them our way.”
