I WANT TO HELP

top needed food items today

The Westford Food Pantry has been continuously providing much needed food and pantry items to our local families in need. The outpouring of support from the community has been moving and heart warming on so many levels. Most importantly, it continues to be incredibly impactful at helping us to supply food to our neighbors in need.
 
Unfortunately due to the number of families in need right now our pantry supplies are in great need of replenishment. Are you interested in helping out? If so, there are two ways you can help us serve these families who desperately need our help.
 
1) The best way to help local families is to make a cash donation directly on our website using the DONATE NOW button. Cash donations of any amount (in lieu of gift cards) allow our organization to buy much needed supplies directly from the suppliers. Often we are able to purchase this food in large quantities at reduced prices. We are also able to use these funds to buy fresh meats, eggs, cheese and produce (Items we are not allowed to collect).
 
2) If you would like to donate NON PERISHABLE food items (please no bread, fruit, baked goods etc.) I am publishing our top 12 most needed items below. These items can be dropped off at the Cameron Senior Center in Westford on Wednesday between 6pm-8pm or Friday from 9am-11am.
 
We sincerely thank you for all your support!! We couldn't do it without your support!!
 
Top Items in need (any brand):
 
  • Peanut butter and Jelly
  • Boxed Cereals
  • Canned Stews and Soups
  • Pasta and Sauce
  • Boxed Mashed Potatoes
  • Pancake Mix and Syrup
  • Toilet Paper

NEW HOURS OF OPERATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY 

 

Due to restrictions that are placed on the Cameron Senior Center - and in an effort to continue to supply food to those in need as well as protect our volunteers and clients as much as possible - effective immediately until further notice the Westford Food Pantry will be open WEDNESDAY 6-8PM AND FRIDAY 9-11AM ONLY.  Clients will continue to receive a pre-packed bag as well as protein (chicken/fish/eggs/cheese).  In order to minimize the exposure to volunteers, food and clients, we are limiting the number of volunteers at this time.  

The Westford Food Pantry will continue to be open although the Cameron Senior center is currently closed. The pantry will be open according to its normal schedule of operation which can be found on our I NEED HELP page (scroll to bottom).   
Anyone that wishes to donate non-perishable food items or supermarket gift cards may do so during our normal pantry operating hours, albeit ouside.
Items always in high demand:
SPAM
Soups/Stews
Pasta/Sauce
Peanut Butter
Personal Care Items (toothpaste/toothbrushes/shampoo/soap)
 
Food items can be dropped off at any of our other drop-off bins at Market Basket, Middlesex Savings Bank
The Roudenbush Community Center
Mill Works
Residence complex near The Butterfly Place.  

 

In the past year the Westford Food Pantry was open 15-20 times a month, totaling over 600 hours of operation.  Each month we served over 250 local famlies and gave out over 400 bags of groceries, personal care products and household items to those in need in our community.  We are generously supported by The Cameron Senior Center, schools, businesses, civic organizations and by generous individuals who give both time and monetary donations and food donations.  We could not be successful without the generous support of our community!

 

 

Volunteers and donors support many necessary roles within our organization to help those in need in our community.

 

  • Volunteers assist clients during pantry open hours.
  • Volunteers pick up food from Merrimack Valley Food Bank, community food drives and donation collection sites.
  • Volunteers date check, sort and stock shelves in our storage facility.
  • Volunteers keep shelves in the pantry "store" fully stocked.
  • Volunteers maintain current paperwork and help clients in need access and register for all services.

 

The generosity of our community is what enables our food pantry to serve so many families in need in our community.  We appreciate and welcome the help of our generous neighbors.  

 

To maintain the confidentiality of our clients, volunteers must be 18 years of age and have completed high school to work in the pantry.  Younger volunteers are welcome to support the pantry through food drives and fund raisers.  

 

 

If you are interested in volunteering for the food pantry please fill out our contact form here.  

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE IN NEED:

canned items

CHICKEN BREAST

TOMATO SAUCE

SPAM

STEW

CHEF BOYARDEE

BAKED BEANS

POTATOES

HASH

JELLY

SOUP

(Progresso, Campbells Chunky, Healthy Choice)

DRY GOODS & CONDIMENTS

CEREALS

RAMON NOODLES

JELLO & PUDDING

COFFEE

SUGAR

FLOUR

PASTA

 

KETCHUP

MAYONNAISE

MUSTARD

SALAD DRESSING

OIL

personal care items

TOOTH PASTE

TOOTH BRUSHES

SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER

SHAVING CREAM

RAZORS

DEODORANTS

PAPER TOWELS

DISH SOAP

HAND SOAP

 

**TOILET PAPER IS ALWAYS IN HIGH DEMAND**

 


Your generosity helps serve more than 500 people each month in our community and we appreciate your continued support.  

All items can be dropped off at the Cameron Senior Center Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm