Utilizing services donated by Marathon Moving Co.,
20 cases containing 80 frozen turkeys and other goodies arrived at the
food pantry from the Greater Boston Food Pantry on Nov. 4. The company’s
services were coordinated through the efforts of Milton resident Lucas
McGary, sales manager for Marathon Moving. “It is important for us to not only grow our business through quality relationships,
but also to grow the quality of life in our communities through
donating our time and resources,” said McGary, whose company has been
helping deliver food to the Milton pantry for the past few months. He is
the president of the Milton Rotary Club.
Volunteers from the community used their muscles as the heavy boxes
were unloaded from the large truck. The local crew included Steve
Randall, Elizabeth Menne, Jay Morise, Peter Jackson and Burton Greenlaw,
while Jini Connors, co-director of the Milton Community Food Pantry, pointed the way to the freezers.
“This year we are expecting about 170 families to receive food for the holidays from the food pantry,”
said Connors. “We are hoping for another 20 cases of turkeys to meet
our need.” Last year, the pantry served around 183 families. This year,
there are about 200 families eligible to utilize the food pantry,
according to Connors. The turkeys weighed between 10 and 12 pounds, and
Allen Sharpe, the mover who drove the Marathon Moving Co. truck,
stacked heavy cases on his lower back, two at a time, to move them into
the basement of the church. “It’s easier this way,” he said.
Canned goods, frozen chickens and other staples were also among the stash arriving from Boston.
More items will be donated or purchased to help fill the shelves for
the holidays at the pantry. During the holiday season, community groups,
clubs and the Milton public schools also provide donations for the
town’s needy. Each of the six public schools will donate boxes
containing all the extras to accompany the turkeys to ensure that
families can have a traditional Thanksgiving meal. “People of Milton are very generous,” said Connors. “This time of year we get many donations. The Milton Junior Woman’s Club
always helps out, and one man who recently had an 80th birthday had
people send donations to the food pantry instead of gifts.” Families who
utilize the food pantry need to make an appointment to receive
Thanksgiving meal boxes. The pantry will assemble the bags and boxes
Nov. 19, and the families will pick them up Nov. 20. “The presentation
is very impressive to look at,” said Connors, adding that school
children decorate the boxes containing all the ingredients to help
spread holiday cheer to everyone in town. To donate, volunteer or get
more information on the food pantry, call (617) 696-0221







