Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Inc.

CONTACT:

234 Barnum Road
Devens, MA 01434
978-772-4627
www.devenspantry.org

Kathy Stamski, Pantry Director

DESCRIPTION:

When Fort Devens, the Army’s New England headquarters since World War I, was closed in 1996, 9,000 jobs were eliminated, and the whole community was hurt. Things suddenly got much busier for Loaves & Fishes, founded in 1983 to provide food, clothing, emergency shelter, fuel assistance, counseling and other services to people in need. Soon they were serving 350-400 families per month, with four part-time employees and over 150 volunteers. Then they discovered that their building was not up to code, so they had to move. With government help (MassDevelopment is playing a major role in revitalizing Devens), they acquired a new facility for just $1, but the carrying costs — utilities, maintenance, insurance — and $650,000 for renovations to the new facility, now require a capital campaign, their first. Here is another example of grassroots philanthropy that works. They are almost halfway toward their $1.25 million goal, and they have an anonymous donor who will match all gifts received this year, including yours! Come on, Catalogue readers and families, we can do it!

(2005: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)