LYNN — The New Lynn Coalition has marked one year of delivering free, fresh groceries to families in the city who are experiencing food insufficiency.
The grocery-delivery program began in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with North Shore Juneteenth Association’s Nicole McClain, who is running for councilor at large, and North Shore Labor Council’s Kathryn Cohen both at the helm.
When funding for the project ran out in May of 2020, the New Lynn Coalition took money from its year-end budget to fund the program for three months, before it acquired early grant funding from the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF).
The program has since been funded by a combination of ECCF, family foundations, and individual donations.
Since August of 2020, the New Lynn Coalition has provided thousands of supplemental meals to single parents, the elderly, disabled individuals, and COVID-19 positive patients, many of whom could not access food pantries.
The delivery service is coordinated by New Lynn Coalition’s food aid organizer, Neil Whittredge, along with volunteers who assist with unloading food off a truck and delivering it to 90 homes once a week. The delivery service recently expanded to include a second delivery for 50 homes per week.
Holly Schaff, who has been a volunteer since the program began, said she appreciates the program and loves how helpful and practical it is.
“It’s not political (and) I don’t have to be anti-anything or pro-anything,” Schaff said. “I have time to give, and I know it’s well spent.”
The New Lynn Coalition is a member of the Food Security Task Force, led by Norris Guscott of City Hall, and also collaborates with other organizations such as The Food Project, Salvation Army, New American Center, Lynn Community Health Center, Greater Lynn Senior Services, Mutual Aid Lynn, and My Brother’s Table.
“It’s a beautiful thing that so many people and organizations on the ground doing this work (have) come together to ease the stress of Lynn residents,” Whittredge said. “This is what community is all about.”
A former recipient of the food-delivery service — who preferred to remain anonymous — said this program has been a great help to her and her family of eight.
“We live paycheck to paycheck and don’t make enough to make ends meet,” the recipient said. “The grocery-delivery program was very helpful when I was working to get a car and could not leave my family home alone.”
Funding for the grocery-delivery program is scheduled to run out by the end of November, so the New Lynn Coalition is asking anyone who is able to donate.
“We serve approximately 500 homes per month, so it’s crucial this program receives the funding it needs to continue delivering groceries to those who don’t have access to food pantries,” Whittredge said.
To donate, visit newlynn.org, click “donate,” and select “Grocery Delivery Program” under the campaign tab to continue getting groceries to those in need. The New Lynn Coalition also accepts checks with “food aid” in the memo, which can be mailed to 112 Exchange St. Lynn, MA 01901.
The coalition said any support is welcome and encouraged, as they know there will continue to be homes in need since many families are still recovering from the pandemic.
