Waltham YMCA helps fight community hunger with self-serve food pantry

Two years ago, former Waltham YMCA advisory board member Donna Kendall had the idea of setting up a free food pantry for people in the community who needed food assistance.

Waltham High School students Gus McVeigh, his brother Finn, and brothers Ben and Joshua Yawoga took the lead, setting up a GoFundMe that raised hundreds of dollars to get the pantry going.

Today the Little Free Pantry, located in the vestibule of the Waltham YMCA at 725 Lexington St., is often stocked with canned goods, non-perishables, beverages, snacks, water — and even fresh produce in season thanks to the Waltham Fields Community Farm. 

“It has all kinds of food but peanut butter, rice, beans, snack bars and pasta seem to be the favorites,” Gus McVeigh said in an email to the Waltham Times.

“[The students] were instrumental in getting the initial round of donations for the pantry,” Kendall, now a member of the general board of the YMCA of Greater Boston, said.

Since then several donors have contributed to the cause. A significant donation from Abe and Norman Stein helped families get through the holiday season this year. Cambridge Savings Bank, the Waltham Lions Club and the Waltham Rotary Club also made donations in support of food for the pantry.

Pantry is in full use, open to all

Gus McVeigh has been tracking how much food people are consuming. He’s been taking pictures during the day and checking on what’s been taken or added. He estimated that more than $9,000 worth of food is being distributed per year.

“It was so good of Gus to monitor the pantry’s activity so that we have some quantitative data of its success,” Kendall said.

Christine Curtain, Waltham YMCA advisory board member, said the pantry is in full use and open to everyone — those dealing with food insecurity as well as people who simply need a break.

“Maybe you don’t need that granola bar financially right now, but it’s been a long day, it’s raining, you’ve got the kids in the car leaving swim lessons and you can’t go to Shaw’s. It’s OK. We want to reduce the stigma of using these community food banks,” she said.

According to Waltham YMCA Executive Director Lindsey Lerit, the team is planning to increase the pantry’s physical space to accommodate more food dropoffs. With the concern of future SNAP benefits being cut, people are more aware and more willing to drop off extra canned goods or fruit snacks, she said.

The Waltham YMCA pantry is available during business hours and no membership or sign-in is required to use it. It’s self-serve so anyone in the community can drop off or pick up food.

In bad weather and before big storms, such as the one last week, the panty can run out of food quickly, however. “This is a good time to help,” Gus McVeigh stated. 

People in the community are encouraged to drop off unopened, non-expired food at the Waltham YMCA during normal hours of operation seven days a week. 

“We’re fortunate to have Lindsey, her team and a number of donors and volunteers helping to sustain the pantry so we can be there for our neighbors and help alleviate one part of potential anxiety and instability that no one should have to face… proud of this great effort at the Waltham Y,” said David Shapiro, YMCA of Greater Boston CEO.

This video explains more about how the YMCA is supporting food security across its 13 centers.