Health

Lawrence food pantry ‘near-empty’ as people struggle during pandemic

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker announced a $56 million program on Tuesday to help families that are food insecure across the state.

In Lawrence, the need for food is growing as countless families are trying to figure out how to put food on the table. Many of them are forced to make the decision of buying food or paying rent.

Cell phone video shows a food pantry in Lawrence that has been wiped out. The Lawrence Senior Center has been converted into one of the food banks. The pictures showed us what it normally looks like, with bags and bags of food ready to go.

“We know that people are struggling,” said Martha Velez, the director of Health and Human Services in Lawrence.

The struggle is felt even more in hard-hit cities like Lawrence and Chelsea, where countless people have been lining up for food. It’s the same in Everett.

In harder hit cities, most of the people are essential workers living in tight corridors.

“This is an immigrant city, we know for a fact that people get paid under the table or don’t qualify for benefits,” said Velez.

“Our goal is to use this funding to meet a greater demand for nutritional assistance among vulnerable populations and those struggling with the economic impact. Increasing food security is essential to protecting the health of the people of Massachusetts,” said Baker.

Day after day, volunteers in Lawrence are delivering more than 13,000 pounds of food to 750 families.

When asked how a typical week looks, and how fast the food is going, Velez said, “it’s bag after bag after bag gets made.”

Most importantly, Velez says, the center also calls and checks on the well-being of those in need.

“Make sure you are there to lift them as much as you can,” said Velez.

Most recently, a family of 12 with a COVID-positive patient came in begging for help, and they got help.

Volunteers are handing out at least 750 meals a week.

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