Eos Grantees in the News
Eos Grantee Profile: Family Pantry of Cape Cod
It started 20 years ago as a small storefront, funded by the deposits on returned soda cans. Today, the Family Pantry of Cape Cod, which recently received an emergency assistance grant from the Eos Foundation, serves nearly 800 families per month.
Says Family Pantry Executive Director Mary Anderson, whose father helped start the organization, “The name was chosen because the founders consider everyone involved to be part of the family – the clients who come for the food, the volunteers and the donors.”
Anderson is the only paid staffer, supported by over 225 volunteers. The Greater Boston Food Bank comes to the pantry three days a month with two large tractor trailers full of food for distribution to the 30 pantries and soup kitchens on the Cape & Islands. Thanks to rent paid by the Food Bank, the sale of grocery store gift cards, and bottle redemption, the Family Pantry is self-sustaining, with every monetary donation received going directly to food purchases.
The Family Pantry was recently recognized as the Organization of the Year by the Harwich Chamber of Commerce, and interested supporters can sign up to become a “Bag of the Month Ambassador,” pledging $25 per month to underwrite food purchases. And, of course, they still welcome recyclable cans and bottles.
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537 Main Street, Suite 12, Harwich Port, MA 02646