Local nonprofit Healthy Waltham rises to the occasion to combat food insecurity

Healthy Waltham is a nonprofit created to combat the food insecurity that families faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been serving nearly 1,200 Waltham families per month ever since.

“Our mission is to create a community that has access to healthy, culturally-relevant food in a way that is dignified and respectful,” Healthy Waltham Executive Director Chukwuemeka “BJ” Osuagwu said in an email to The Waltham Times.

The program is currently operating out of the Fitch School at 5 Cherry St., with plans to move into a new building located at 123 Felton St. within the next year. Healthy Waltham’s most popular service is its weekly market, where community members get food from a food pantry setup that is similar to a traditional marketplace; participants can grab a cart and walk around to different stations to select the food they want to take home.

Those wanting to use the pantry can make an appointment online or show up in person. 

Immigration status should not be a barrier to asking for help, Osuagwu said, noting, “We collect only necessary information in order to provide service.”

Much of Healthy Waltham’s funds come from individual donors. The organization also participates in the annual Project Bread Walk for Hunger. Another favorite fundraising event is the Healthy Waltham golf tournament. There are plans for a benefit concert hosted by a Waltham community member later this summer.

Osuagwu said elevated food prices and cutbacks in federal grants are among the biggest challenges faced by Healthy Waltham.

“The need is growing, and the funding and the resources are shrinking. It’s impossible to downsize when the services you are providing are the legitimate difference between whether a family can eat that day or not,” said Osuagwu.

Osuagwu said he encourages those interested in supporting Healthy Waltham’s mission to donate money. “This allows for us to purchase food in bulk from partner distributors, and it allows for us to buy more fresh food as opposed to just shelf-stable or canned items.” 

He also noted a significant need for volunteers to assist at the weekly market program. Those interested can find information about volunteering and donating on Healthy Waltham’s website.