A city-owned food pantry in Mattapan that typically serves roughly 800 people per month is seeing a spike in need this holiday season, according to the city’s top health official.
Shirley’s Pantry, named for its longtime manager Shirley Shillingford, is run through the Boston Public Health Commission’s (BPHC) Live Long and Well initiative and mainly serves Dorchester and Mattapan families, according to Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, commissioner of Public Health and executive director of the BPHC.
According to Ojikutu, a normal Friday distribution would see about 50 people visit the pantry but as of late, due to an increase in food prices and threats to public benefits, the numbers have doubled.
“We have been seeing close to 100 people coming in, wanting something,” she said. “It’s a strain but we are doing the best we can to meet the needs of our residents who are food insecure in Boston.”
In November, the pantry distributed some 300 holiday baskets and turkeys. Now they expect they’ll do the same for Christamas.
“It’s a key way Shirley’s Pantry supports families during the holiday season. Our staff will prepare holiday food baskets that will allow families in need to cook a holiday meal,” Ojikutu said. “The goal is to relieve a lot of the financial concerns people are having. Groceries have become so expensive.”
To receive a basket, participants have to visit the pantry in person. Registration closed last Friday (Dec. 12) but the pantry said they will not turn anyone away.
“I think the holidays are a particularly stressful time for families. People want to make sure that they provide and have something special. Whether it be food or gifts, we also do a toy drive,” said Ojikutu.
“I think it’s emotional because that’s how we look at holidays. There is always food, some gift to give, so we try to go above and beyond, along with many of our partners across the city during holidays to make sure people feel like they can provide for their families.”
