Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell (right) delivers food donations collected during the Registry of Deeds Annual Holiday Food Drive to Khalil Melton volunteer at the Milton Community Food Pantry.
Milton, MA – Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell recently delivered donations of food to the Milton Community Food Pantry. 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.
“It is my great pleasure to deliver these items to the Milton Community Food Pantry on behalf of the many who contributed to the Registry's food drive,” stated Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell. “I am grateful that so many Norfolk County residents, including Registry staff, local businesses, and real estate professionals, took the opportunity during the holiday season to give and assist individuals experiencing difficulty.”
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.
“Any donations help the food pantry, especially after the holidays are over, because many times there is a lull in the number of donations that come in this time of year,” said Maria Melton, Client Liaison for the Milton Community Food Pantry.
The Milton Community Food Pantry serves 130 Milton households, including 70 older adults.
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.
“The food pantry bridges the gap between your budget and how much things cost. You can get things like pasta and sauce—things you might need to make a meal and that you don’t have to buy at the grocery store, which can help save money or used be used to pay bills or rent,” said Melton.
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.
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.”
The Milton Community Food Pantry is located at 158 Blue Hills Parkway in Milton. The pantry is open Saturday from 9:15am 11:15am.