The Parmenter Food Pantry needs your help!

The Parmenter Food Pantry has been part of the Wayland community for nearly 60 years, since the creation of Parmenter Community Health. Initially the focus was on providing a special holiday meal to families in need until about 30 years ago when it was recognized that families need help with basic food items throughout the year.  The Parmenter Food Pantry is a volunteer based organization that distributes grocery items to over 80 families in Wayland monthly, including 45 residents under the age of 18. There is great wealth in Wayland as well as many families who struggle to put food on their table.  America is the land of plenty. But for 1 in 6 people in the United States, hunger is a reality. Many people believe that the problems associated with hunger are confined to small pockets of society, certain areas of the country, or certain neighborhoods, but the reality is much different. Right now, millions of Americans are struggling with hunger.  These are often hard-working adults, children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, or even days.

For the past 14 years, Laurie Hojlo, Wayland resident and member of the Parmenter Board of Trustees, has managed the Food Pantry. She has a great group of volunteers who help make it all happen. Volunteers pick-up groceries at numerous locations around town, organize the shelves in the pantry, pick-up perishable items, bag groceries on pick-up day, and help deliver to shut-ins.  Special food collections are often done through the town, in schools, churches and other local events.  The Parmenter Food Pantry needs your help now with cash donations and non-perishable food supplies. Our funds are low.  Cash donations are used to purchase fresh meats, fruits and vegetables, juice, bread and other items that are in short supply.  Please consider making a donation to the pantry.  Checks may be sent to Parmenter Community Health Care, 266 Cochituate Road, Wayland MA 017778 or visit our website www.parmenter.org/donate. If you need supplementary food for your family, or know someone who does, please call 508-358-300 or Laurie Hojlo at 508-358-0028.    

The pantry shelves are in need of replenishment at this time. Non-perishable donations are welcome and may be dropped off at the main office Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 5:00pm or at one of the Local Community Donation sites:

• Stop & Shop 400 Boston Post Road
• Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage  311 Boston Post Road  
• Middlesex Savings Bank  150 Commonwealth Road  
• Sovereign Bank  326 Boston Post Road  
• The Village Bank  62 Boston Post Road  
• Whole Foods Market  317 Boston Post Road  

Vote for the Parmenter Food Pantry. The Wayland Branch of Sovereign Bank is hosting a charity competition for the next month or so. The Parmenter Food Pantry is one of three charities selected.  Please stop by The Bank, thank them for their support of local charities and place your vote. The charity with the most votes will receive a check from the bank. Help us provide food support to struggling Wayland households!