Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell carries in food donations collected during the Registry of Deeds Annual Holiday Food Drive with the help of Natale Lee, 15-year volunteer and Ann Toland, Marge Crispin Center Co-Director at the Marge Crispin Center in Braintree.
Braintree, MA – Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell recently delivered donations of food to the Marge Crispin Center Food Pantry in Braintree. The contributions came from the Registry staff, title examiners, and the public, who participated in the Registry’s Annual Holiday Food Drive which was held from November 14th to December 14th.
"On behalf of the many people who contributed to the Registry’s food drive, it is my pleasure to deliver these items to the Marge Crispin Center Food Pantry," stated Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell. "I am thankful that so many Norfolk County residents, including our employees and title examiners, took the opportunity to donate and to help those with hardships during the holiday season."
The Registry collected more than 280 pounds of food during the drive, including items such as boxes of spaghetti, jars of sauce, canned soups, and fruits.
“Community donations are immensely important. They are a big help and give us a good deal of variety that we wouldn’t otherwise have,” said Ann Toland, Co-Director at the Marge Crispin Center in Braintree.
The Marge Crispin Center Food Pantry serves 250 Braintree households, distributing more than 100,000 lbs. of food each year.
The food pantries throughout Norfolk County provide a valuable and much-needed recourse for residents facing both long-term and temporary hardships, including children, families, and individuals, and I am grateful to be able to help in this small way,” said Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell.
According to Project Bread, household food insecurity in Massachusetts has been fluctuating between 20 and 26%. Many Norfolk County food pantries have seen a significant increase in demand in the last year.
“Individual donations help supplement our inventory because if we get low on certain items, like breakfast cereal, the pantry will need to go out and buy them,” said Toland.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics, consumer prices for all items rose 3.4 percent from December 2022 to December 2023. All food prices increased 2.7 percent, with a 1.3 percent increase in prices for food at home.
“One of the wonderful things about being part of the food pantry is to see the number of people who when they get back on their feet become food donors themselves,” said Toland.
The Marge Crispin Center is located at 46 Lincoln Street in Braintree, and appointments for food pickups can be scheduled with a 24-hour notice for 10 a.m.-noon or 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Register O'Donnell concluded, “Hunger does not stop after the holidays it is a persistent issue affecting many of our neighbors. I encourage residents to consider dropping off food supplies at their local pantry. Pantries are requesting canned goods, breakfast cereals, pasta, sauces, toiletries, and paper products. Dropping off a food donation at a local pantry can make a world of difference in helping a family in need.”