People Helping People Food Need Up As Much As 30 Percent

BURLINGTON, MA — Are you looking for a way to give back this holiday season? Burlington's People Helping People is helping more people than ever this year, with food provision up as much as 30 percent from pre-pandemic levels.

The food pantry is receiving significantly more food from the Greater Boston Food Bank than in the past, due to the federal and state programs providing more food. But the pantry still needs community support, according to pantry director Jane McIninch.

"This time of year is when we would typically see the majority of donations come in," McIninch said. "They're definitely lower this year than they were in other years."

Many businesses that usually hold food drives are not doing so because their employees are remote, she said, although some have stepped up with financial donations, she said.

And the increased government allocation does not cover all the need.

"Even though more food is available to us, the variety of that food is not great," McIninch said. "There are certain things we want to have available to families that are not available."

That includes vegetable oil, jelly, canned tomatoes, and kinds of rice that are central to some cuisines.

"We've been trying to lobby the community to donate jasmine and basmati rice," McIninch said.

In the spring, when the food bank stepped in to provide meals for kids who usually get free or reduced-price lunch at school, "the community was incredibly generous, and a lot of people were very much in tune that people need help and donations were pouring in," McIninch said.

Over the summer, need declined, due to the federal CARES Act providing additional unemployment benefits and food stamps as well as $1,200 relief checks.

But since those programs have expired, the need has risen again. The food pantry has also worked to expand its distribution, with a new program in November aimed at English language learners in the school system.

So the pantry is still eager for donations, whether financial or food, McIninch said. And the organization is also running its annual Wish Tree program collecting gifts for children.

"That's mostly visible through the mall and a lot of people aren't going to the mall," McIninch noted. "We're still trying to collect gifts for children so that hopefully we can provide a cheery holiday season even through the scary pandemic."

Information on donating to the Wish Tree program is available here. Information on the food pantry, whether you're in need of help or you want to help, is available here.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.