West Suburban YMCA Delivers Groceries to Seniors | West Suburban YMCA

West Suburban YMCA Helps Expand Food Pantry Delivery Service

Apr 06, 2020

West Suburban YMCA and Newton Food Pantry team up to make home delivered groceries available to more residents during the COVID-19 crisis.

This week, the West Suburban YMCA began its partnership assisting the Newton Food Pantry with grocery deliveries throughout the City of Newton. Due to COVID-19, the pantry has temporarily changed its procedures for residents requesting food services. Residents can no longer come in to the pantry to shop for their food and instead are provided pre-packaged grocery bags via home delivery or parking lot pickup.

In order to minimize the number of residents leaving their homes to pickup food pantry groceries, the West Suburban YMCA is utilizing its large passenger van – typically used for afterschool pickups –to load and deliver groceries. Y staff spent Wednesday morning making several trips to distribute the bags to dozens of households.

"We are so grateful to be of service to the food pantry and those in need in our community," said Kim Benzan, Chief Operating Officer of the West Suburban YMCA.

In total, Y staff delivered 210 pre-packaged grocery bags to 70 families. Bags were left outside of doors in order to maintain safe social distancing practices. The Y will be utilizing their staff and vehicles for grocery deliveries every Wednesday to ensure the food pantry has the support needed to safely deliver to all families and individuals in need of their services.

If you live in Newton and do not have enough food, the Newton Food Pantry can help. Please contact the pantry at 617-796-1233 or email NewtonFoodPantry@gmail.com for assistance.