According to executive director Jim Seymour, “We’re expanding our capacity and our outreach, and that’s producing more clients and greater need.”
HYANNIS—
The organisation will inaugurate its refurbished centre on Friday as the veterans outreach centre on the Cape starts its 40th year of food distribution.
In order to accommodate more fresh food as the centre serves more elderly veterans who are facing food insecurity—which affects roughly 1.8 million seniors in Massachusetts—the new site, at 223 Stevens St., has quadrupled in size.
According to executive director Jim Seymour, demand has increased dramatically this year, with the centre now servicing 1,900 area veterans and their families, up from around 1,400 at the height of the COVID outbreak.
According to Navy veteran Seymour, “in certain circumstances, what it becomes is another opportunity for them to give back.” They may use certain services, such as a food pantry or another programme, but they later return to volunteer.
The 1,200-square-foot facility manages 13 food pantries on the Cape and Martha’s Vineyard and purchases food from the Greater Boston Food Bank.
According to Seymour, the new facility will guarantee that veterans can have a consistent two-week supply of food essentials and fruit.
As we expand our reach in the field of food pantry services, he continued, “things are flowing in regularly and going straight back out the door.” “We’re expanding our reach and capability, which attracts more clients and increases demand.”
On Friday at 2 p.m., the food distribution facility will be dedicated. State Senator Susan Moran, State Representatives Tim Whelan and Steven Xiarhos, and Secretary of Veterans Services Cheryl Lussier Poppe are among the speakers.