Lynn’s Tree of Life pantry a lifesaver for many families

LYNN – When the Sacred Heart Tree of Life Food Pantry on Boston Street first opened its doors 20 years ago, they expected around 50 people. Today, they have 300-450 families come every Thursday, sometimes lining up in the rain or cold an hour and a half early.”They come from all walks of life. It’s not just foreigners, it’s everyday people who check in and say ‘I never thought in 20 years I’d be here,'” said Teresa Murray, the executive director of the Tree of Life program. Often, those who were assisted during hard times will donate to the food pantry afterward.There is food available whether the hungry person is single or providing for a family. A person is determined for help by a level of income and they need Mass Health and SSI to qualify and also must be a Lynn resident.The food isn’t just cans and non-perishables, though the bags do include pasta, rice, beans and tomato soup. Sacred Heart stocks their food bags with meat, milk, cheese, fruits and vegetables from Trader Joe’s via the Boston Food Pantry and bread donated from Pepperidge Farm. Every so often, they will also pass out extras like Pillsbury Grand rolls, yogurt, cereal, hotdogs, juice and eggs. The Tree of Life Team works to ensure that those receiving are able to make meals for more than a couple days.Murray also tries to include cookies and crackers in the bags.”The government frowns on us giving out snacks, but these families have kids, why can’t they have a cookie? They should not be slighted for who they are or where they come from – they’re living life.”That includes putting candy in the bags for the holidays and secretly giving out diapers and formula for expectant mothers or those who already have babies. “Food stamps only go so far. If we can help them stretch their money, it’s well worth it.”The Tree of Life Food Pantry works with 40 volunteers on distribution day, but their worker base goes much further than that. The seventh- and eighth- graders from the Sacred Heart School and the church’s Youth Group help unload the trucks and bag up the food every week, as well as the Key Club at Lynn Classical High School and the parish at Our Lady of the Assumption in Lynnfield. The Lynn City Mission will take the leftover bread at the end of a Thursday and re-distribute it on Saturday to reach new hungry people. “For a volunteer base, it couldn’t be better,” said Murray. “Even if I’m not here, this thing runs.”