Around Town

Brownie Troop Hosts Drive-Thru Food Drive in Watertown to Support Local Food Pantry

By |

Watertown Brownie Troop 84267 announced it will be hosting a drive-thru food drive to help out a local food pantry. See more information below. Our local Brownie Troop is hosting a Drive-Thru Food Drive to benefit the Watertown Food Pantry on Saturday, November 16, from 1-3 PM at First Parish Church in Watertown, 35 Church St. This event is an opportunity for people in the community to give back easily and safely. Donors can drive up and drop off non-perishable food items without even getting out of their car.

Around Town

Local Jam Maker Holding Pop-Up and Food Drive for Watertown Food Pantry

By |

If you missed Berry Mari and Belle at the Watertown Farmers Market, you can buy Hanna Opdahl’s jams and preserves at a pop-up and she will also be collecting items for the Watertown Food Pantry with donors being entered into a drawing for jam and spices. See details below. Berry Mari and Belle will be having a jam pop-up at Curio Spice Co., 2265 Mass. Ave., in Cambridge on Saturday, Nov. 23 (12-4 p.m.), and will be collecting donations for the Watertown Food Pantry.

Around Town

People Working Against Hunger in Watertown Honored by Community Foundation

By |

The honorees at the Watertown Community Foundation’s Celebrate Impact Event. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Hunger is an issue faced by a growing number of Watertown residents. Recently, the Watertown Community Foundation put a spotlight on the work of several groups that have been trying to make sure everyone in town can feed their families and themselves. On Oct. 17, the Community Foundation hosted Celebrate Impact where they honored the people and groups who make up four pillars to feeding those in need in Watertown: food support, 24/7 access, food assistance, and food distribution.

Around Town

Watertown Girl Scouts Created Pet Pantries at 2 Local Food Pantries

By |

Watertown Girl Scout Junior Troop 70133 with Kathy Cunningham of the Watertown Food Pantry. The Troop created a Pet Pantry. (Contributed Photo)

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Girl Scout Junior Troop 70133:

By Olivia Nardone Cavanaugh

Members of Watertown Girl Scout Junior Troop 70133 in fifth grade are working to earn their Bronze Award, one of the highest awards in Girl Scouts, by making a difference in their community. The girls conducted observational research and decided they wanted to help wild and domestic animals in Watertown to stay safe and healthy through community education and awareness. For the project, the girls met with Animal Control Officer Samantha Gatchell to gather wildlife safety tips and designed and printed flyers to educate community members about how to treat wild animals safely.

Around Town

Celebrate the Heroes Behind Watertown’s Core Food Security Efforts

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Event:

On Thursday, October 17, the Watertown Community Foundation will host their annual fundraiser, Celebrate Impact, highlighting the continued urgency of food insecurity in our community and honoring the people behind Watertown’s core food security programs.

Honorees include the Steering Committee of the Watertown Community Fridge, Stephanie Venizelos of the Watertown Farmers’ Market; Kathy Cunningham and Carol Pennington, who each run one of Watertown’s food pantries; Olivia Fields, Kristen Monti, and Sarah Woods of the Watertown Housing Authority; and JD Donohue, owner of Donohue’s Bar and Grill. “Approximately 7,800 Watertown residents, or nearly 1 in 5 of our neighbors, need support to feed their families,” said Jen Nicholson, Watertown Community Foundation Board Member and Event Co-Chair. “Our honorees work and volunteer to put food directly into the hands of people who need it.”

“The Watertown Community Foundation works to connect Watertown residents to reliable sources of healthy food by supporting those local organizations whose mission makes this happen,” said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, Watertown Community Foundation Board Co- President and Event Co-Chair. “We are delighted to celebrate the impact of our honorees and their organizations in making food available to people who need it.”

“When money can’t cover rent, medical care and food: hunger happens. The COVID pandemic highlighted the ongoing presence and urgency of hunger in the Watertown community.

Around Town

Watertown Food Pantry Receives Donation from Construction Contractor

By |

Chris Bertone and Tim Guiggio from Brait Construction delivered items to the Watertown Food Pantry on Aug. 12. (Contributed Photo)

Last week, the Watertown Food Pantry received a donation from a construction company working in a major project in town. Food Pantry volunteer Stacy Walsh said that donation was delivered by Chris Bertone and Tim Guiggio from Brait, which is in the contractor for the Watertown High School project, and previously worked on the Cunniff and Hosmer elementary school projects. “Brait Construction did a much needed food drive for the Watertown Food Pantry, for which we were extremely grateful!”

Around Town

Group from Watertown Food Pantry Joining Walk for Hunger

By |

The following announcement was provided by Project Bread:

On May 5, the Watertown Food Pantry will be among over 3,500 participants to lace up for Project Bread’s 56th annual Walk for Hunger. For the fourth consecutive year, the Watertown based nonprofit will raise money to support statewide food security through the Commonwealth Program. The Commonwealth gives organizations addressing food insecurity 60 percent of all funds they raise to support their own hunger relief programs, with the remaining 40 percent applied to Project Bread’s statewide food security effort. To date, Project Bread has awarded over $12,550 to the Watertown Food Pantry. Beginning in 1969, as the first pledge walk in the nation, Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger brings together a diverse community dedicated to creating change.

Around Town

Fitness Studio Hosting Mother’s Day Brunch Supporting the Watertown Food Pantry

By |

The following announcement was provided by Get Lively: Health & Fitness Studio:

Join us for our annual Mother’s Day Event to support the Watertown Food Pantry. Enjoy locally made coffee and treats as we assemble gift bags of shampoo and conditioner that the food pantry will distribute to local women in honor of Mother’s Day. 

Treats are on us, we just ask that you please bring shampoo and conditioner! (This will take place immediately after our 9 a.m. Get HIIT class if you plan to attend – we’d love to have you for class too!)

Date: Saturday, May 11

Time: 10-11 a.m.

Location: Get Lively®: Health & Fitness Studio, 25 Clarendon St., Watertown

Sign up here: www.getlivelynow.com/mom