By Liz Nolan, Contributing Writer
Northborough – The Northborough Food Pantry relies on donations to continue to support families in need. Local churches and schools, which typically hold regular food collections, have not been able to do so due to the COVID-19 closures. The number of families using the food pantry has also increased during the pandemic.
Marion E. Zeh School’s Principal Advisory Committee led by Principal Amy Souls decided to be creative and organized a two week online food drive using a wish list on Amazon, which was shared with the Zeh School community.
Instrumental in the effort was school nurse Susan Berger. All items ordered were shipped directly to Berger’s home and she arranged a delivery time with Food Pantry volunteers.
“The community response has been amazing,” said Berger. “The donations have come from many families, some outside of the walls of Zeh School. To date there have been 1,091 items collected and the donations are still coming in.”
The first round of donations were delivered on April 28, and filled three vehicles. Berger will continue to deliver items as they arrive, since some items had delivery delays.
“The food pantry is so dependent on and grateful for the generosity of our community,” said Food Pantry Assistant Director and Northborough Southborough Public Schools Director of Wellness Mary Ellen Duggan. “Companies have also stepped up with monetary donations.”
Berger said that details on the next Zeh School community service project are being finalized, but they will be collecting donations for animal shelters.
Additional information on the food pantry can be found at www.nfpantry.org.
Photos/Submitted by Susan Berger
