Milton Friends of Town Farm Collects Items for Milton Food Pantry

Milton Selectman Bob Sweeney and his family spent time at the Milton Food Pantry on the National Day of Service, Saturday, January 19, to deliver items collected from the Milton Friends of Town Farm food drive.

"Gert (Bob's wife) and I wanted to participate with our daughter Christina in a meaningful way recognizing the National Day of Service. Unfortunately, hunger is a year round problem not just during the holidays when our charitable spirit abounds,” said Sweeney via a press release.

The Milton Food Pantry, which is located in the lower level of the Parkway United Methodist Church, distributes food on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Sweeney, who is a member of the Milton Friends of Town Farm, organized the food drive.

“The Milton Friends were generous with their collective donation for the food pantry and we felt privileged to deliver it all,” Sweeney said. “The food pantry volunteers were warm, welcoming and appreciative and we were inspired by their enthusiasm and energy.”

The National Day of Service, which recognizes Martin Luther King Jr. Day, represented a perfect time for the Sweeney family to volunteer in their hometown.

"Gert and I met while teaching at the Martin Luther King Jr. School; we often shared lesson plans and in a favorite quote of Doctor King's, 'The time is always right to do what is right,’” the Selectman said. “The volunteers at the Milton Food Pantry are there every Saturday year round doing what is right. They are extraordinary.”

The Governor Stoughton Trust land, located off Canton Avenue, was entrusted to the Town of Milton by Colonial Governor William Stoughton "for the use and benefit of the poor of this town forever.”

The Selectmen serve as trustees of the land. Grants from the trust are coordinated by Diane Ferrari, LICSW, Director of the Milton Residents Fund. Ferrari can be reached at 617-696-1214 or by email at office@fpmilton.org.

The Milton Food Pantry can be reached at 617-696-0221.