By Alberto Surís
Neighbors in Need has been feeding the poor and hungry of Greater Lawrence for 30 years. They give food to those in need without judgment, respecting the dignity of each individual. All food, baby formula, diapers, clothing, and household items are provided free of charge to those who request them. Access to good food is a challenge to many of the poor and hungry in Lawrence.
Neighbors in Need feeds 500 families each week at their 11 Food Pantries strategically located in the neighborhoods, providing food to most Lawrence residents within walking distance of their homes. Their Elder Pantries provide food in the common rooms of two low-income elder housing projects, Valebrook and 65 Union in the North Common area.
They deliver to 21 disabled homebound residents of Windsor House (a rooming house operated by the Commonwealth Land Trust) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH); and to the YWCA Fina House providing food to 26 teen mothers and families with a history of domestic violence. Since 1983 Neighbors in Need has distributed over 6 million pounds of food.
On November 23, Neighbors in Need held their Annual Thanksgiving distribution of food from the South Congregational Church, located at 198 South Broadway, in Lawrence. According to Executive Director Linda Zimmerman, 1,220 families were served that day with the help of hundreds of volunteers that helped in many ways.
