BY EMILY GAUDETTE
As food costs keep rising, Family and Community Resources partners with a Stonehill club, 25:35 to raise donations and fight against food insecurity in the south shore.
FCR is a nonprofit organization focused on mental health and domestic violence services. Approximately 90 percent of their clients come from low-income households, and are mostly comprised of single parents and immigrant communities.
“The ability to give is not as doable as it once was,” Director of Mental Health Services Nicole Modes said.
FCR receives funding from the Department of Public Health. This often means they have limited funding to do “big jobs.” This is why donating is so important to the care team at FCR.
“Half of nothing is still nothing,” Modes said.
President of 25:35 Cam Sarkisian has enlisted the help of the mass-goers at the Chapel of Mary. Similar to the clothing drive the club put on in the fall, they are collecting donations through three large donation bins inside the chapel.
“We have recently hosted a clothing drive that received an abundance of generous donations. I am confident that we are able to attain similar results [for the food drive],” Sarkisian said.
The food pantry has been a personal passion for Modes since she became an intern at FCR in 2014. She said she is always thinking of new ways to get donations, especially for the spring and summer. Modes said that people are more likely to donate during the giving seasons of November and December.
“We know that when people have basic needs met, they live happier, healthier, and safer lives,” said Modes.
If you would like to donate to Stonehill’s Food Drive, please bring nonperishable food items to the Chapel of Mary or Venmo FOOD PANTRY DONATION at FCR’s donation account, @Patricia-Kelleher-23.
Email nicole.modes@fcr-ma.org for further questions.