Swampscott Democrats lend a helping hand to the hungry

SWAMPSCOTT – In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. and in response to President Barack Obama’s call for commitment to community service, members of the Swampscott Democratic Town Committee (SDTC) have reached out to a local food pantry.John Boschetti, one of the SDTC project organizers, said the goal was to strengthen community ties by addressing hunger.”We selected supporting a food pantry because everyone can relate to relieving hunger,” he said. “But, just as important as collecting canned goods and non-perishables, we wanted SDTC members to talk to their neighbors about this and other challenges we face.”Lynn’s Sacred Heart Tree of Life Food Pantry was the recipient of two carloads of donations from Swampscott and Nahant.Pantry Director Marion Canizaro said the pantry has seen an increase in the number of people seeking assistance.”The number of people without sufficient money to buy enough food is increasing,” she said. “It helps families to stretch their money further to get food from the pantry. We really appreciate the effort.”Swampscott resident Loretta Mueller, who used her home as a collection site along with the public library, said she was pleased with the response from Swampscott and Nahant residents.”People were happy to talk and to be asked,” she said. “Elderly individuals and people with their own financial and health problems contributed what they could. They said that they were willing to be called on again. This is the spirit of community we seek.”Nahant resident Kathy Lique said the collection drive for the Sacred Heart Tree of Life Food Pantry helped her get to know some of her neighbors better.”I hope this will be a part of what I see as the softening of our hearts in response to these difficult times,” she said. “If this happens, much good can arise and we can deal with the difficulties. Several people offered thanks that this was happening. I hope it will continue.”SDTC member Ralph Edwards said the group would be coordinating other service projects in the future.”The Swampscott Democratic Town Committee will initiate other service projects in the coming months that will engage citizens in conversations about community issues as well as address immediate needs,” he said.