Fuel costs squeeze budget as client needs increase
Like many of our neighbors in the community, Walpole Community Food Pantry is feeling the squeeze of paying more at the pump with high prices for both gas and diesel. And it’s coming at a time when we’re seeing increased need and helping feed more families than ever.
Pantry operations are built around a series of just-in-time food orders and deliveries that lean heavily on two delivery vans and a large diesel truck. Our vehicles are on the road five days a week, bringing rescued food back to our warehouse to sort and package. From there, food goes back out to our mobile distribution sites and Walpole housing communities. We also share food with smaller organizations and churches working to address hunger in neighboring towns.
Because so much of our work happens on the road, the recent spike in gas and diesel prices has hit the Pantry hard: Weekly fuel costs to fill our fleet have jumped by 57%, leaving fewer resources to help feed our neighbors.
Every week, our two vans and large diesel delivery truck travel throughout the region to collect fresh food from our corporate partners — including Stop & Shop in Walpole, Wegmans in Westwood, Costco in Dedham, and Garelick Farms in Franklin.
From our warehouse, our fleet delivers directly to:
Three mobile distribution sites in Walpole: Knights of Columbus on Stone Street, United Church downtown, and Union Congregational Church in East Walpole
Two Walpole subsidized housing communities: Diamond Pond Terrace and Neponset View Terrace
While the majority of the food we distribute comes to us free from the Greater Boston Food Bank, overhead costs – including vehicles and fuel – can only be funded by donations.
Community support for the Pantry’s operations fund helps ensure we can continue rescuing food, delivering it to our distribution sites, and sharing it with organizations helping neighbors facing hunger.
To make a donation, visit www.wcfp.org/donate.
Walpole Community Food Pantry is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit
A volunteer loads one of the Pantry’s vans while picking up rescued food from the loading dock at Wegmans in Westwood.