A Holiday Thanks for Healthy Meals
This holiday season, many of us will give thanks for family, good food, and health—three values that Wakefield resident Serina Saeed holds close.
“I take care of my mother who’s both elderly and [has disabilities], and sometimes it gets hard providing good meals for her,” says Serina, explaining how she shops for fresh produce and lean proteins to look after her mother’s health. When bargain hunting doesn’t make ends meet, Serina turns to the Wakefield Food Pantry, a GBFB partner agency.
Rising costs are a widespread issue, but the Wakefield Food Pantry is meeting a growing demand for food. In addition to approximately 172,000 meals from GBFB in the last year, the pantry received a GBFB Community Investment Grant to purchase a climate controlled food storage container to increase capacity.
This food empowers neighbors like Serina to put healthy meals on the table. “The fact that I can get beans and fresh produce makes it easier for me to make healthy meals,” she says, adding that during the holidays, she appreciates the “care packages” the pantry distributes, which include gift cards for purchasing turkeys.
Serina expresses thanks for GBFB’s donors. Donor funds help send food to 600 agencies across Eastern Massachusetts—including Wakefield. “I don’t need the food pantry all the time. I’m very grateful for it when I need it, and I appreciate what everybody contributes to make this happen,” she says.
“The fact that I can get beans and fresh produce makes it easier for me to make healthy meals.” – Serena Saeed, client at the Wakefield Food Pantry
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