By Theresa Knapp
The mission of the Ashland Food Pantry is to address food insecurity through access to quality, nutritious food and basic, everyday items. It is also a point of contact, through the Department of Prevention and Human Services, to assist people facing food insecurity or who may be struggling to meet basic needs.
“Over the past year, we have served an average of 65 families each month through an average of almost 100 appointments per month. It is quite a feat considering we are currently open two mornings and one afternoon per week,” said Yucchabelle “Yucchi” Cote, the food pantry’s Food Resource Coordinator.
Cote started working with the food pantry years ago because, “I wanted to use the skills I’ve built up through various work experiences through the years in a way that benefits our community; this work fits that bill exactly.”
Thanksgiving Meal and Holiday Program
Cote says the holidays are a particularly busy time of year, especially with the Thanksgiving Meal and Holiday Program which is a collaboration between the Food Pantry, Community Center, Prevention and Human Services, Recreation Center, and Senior Center staff.
The Thanksgiving Meal program provides families connected with the Food Pantry or Human Services with a complete Thanksgiving meal of turkey, vegetables, other side dishes, and a dessert.
In December, the Holiday Program provides an opportunity for Ashland families to experience the magic of the holidays with the help of their neighbors. Program participants remain anonymous to the donors who are provided with a wish-list to help purchase child-specific gifts. That program also accepts gift cards and ‘filler gifts’ from people who may not want to sponsor a specific child.   
If you need assistance
The Ashland Food Pantry is available to any Ashland resident experiencing food insecurities. Food Pantry users must set up an appointment to utilize the Food Pantry. Please contact us by email, [email protected], or call 508-532-7949.
Volunteers needed
“Volunteers are truly the heart of the Ashland Food Pantry, and it could not run without them,” said Cote, noting additional volunteers are especially needed around the holidays. “We currently have ten people who volunteer regularly…but it would be wonderful if we could get in three or four more. Even just an hour or two each week can make a huge difference.”
Donations needed
Donations of non-perishable and non-expired food can be dropped off in the bin front of the food pantry (outside the downstairs entrance to the Ashland Community Center at 162 West Union St., lower level), or in the donation bin at Shaw’s Supermarket.
Monetary donations are also accepted. Checks can be made payable to “Town of Ashland” with “Food Pantry Donation” in the memo line, and mailed to Ashland Human Services, Attn: Courtney Loughlin, 162 West Union St.
A special thanks at the holidays
Cote said the food pantry could not do its work without the help of generous donors like the Ashland Emergency Fund; Simple Gestures, whose food drives have been invaluable; Upswing Farm, which provides a share of fresh produce; Ashland High School Honor Society students; St. Cecilia Parish; and “people throughout the Ashland community have been amazingly generous in donating to our bins at Shaw’s on Pond Street and at the Ashland Community Center.”
Ashland Emergency Fund
Another major supporter of the food pantry is the Ashland Emergency Fund which provides temporary financial support to Ashland community members in need, including food, heating oil, medicine, etc. And 100% of their donations are distributed to those in need, according to www.ashlandemergencyfund.org.
“Their generosity enables us to provide fresh foods that cannot be donated regularly through bins and food drives, or basic household needs that fall in short supply,” said Cote. “Their generosity enables us to purchase items through the Greater Boston Food Bank that we would not otherwise be able to afford.”
For more information about any service, visit www.ashlandmass.com/440/Ashland-Food-Pantry or call 508-532-7949.