Westwood Food Pantry to End 2011 on High Note

With the cold of the winter months also comes an increased need for food donations in Westwood and surrounding towns. 

And this year, the Westwood Food Pantry will deliver. 

Coming off the heals of last month's , the food pantry has been well-stocked and is ready to serve its 50-some clients in town. 

"That's the big (drive) we have every year, it's our biggest," said Trish Tucke, manager of the Westwood Food Pantry.

The Boy Scout drive also coordinated with volunteer efforts from nearly 60 students and athletes. 

"It was awesome," Tucke said. "The kids were phenomenal. They just chipped right in, they did what they needed to do. We got it all done in much less time than what I thought it would take."

But that drive wasn't the only event to help out the food pantry this fall. In early December, the held a beauty aid drive for the pantry, Tucke said. The event pulled in a large number of shampoos, combs, tooth brushes, soap and other toiletries. 

"I think all that stuff's gone," Tucke said. "People see that and they grab it."

Adding to that, the Neponset Valley SUnrise Rotary Club also recently donated a check to the food pantry, which Tucke is using to purchase $25 gift cards to for all of the 51 clients that utilize the pantry in Westwood. 

Meanwhile, starting in February, Westwood's five elementary schools will be holding donation drives for the food pantry each month, and will hold a drive in June, Tucke said.

Adding to that, Tucke's daughter Julia and her friend Tina Wikozki, students at Westwood High School and members of the National Honors Society, stop by once a week to help sort items. 

But Tucke attributes a large chunk of donations this fall to residents, officials and students in town.

"I think we've seen an uptake in donations," Tucke said. "I think it's because we've gotten the word out and people know where to bring items."

It's not uncommon for residents to stop by with items they've picked up at the grocery story while shopping for their own food, Tucke said.

"The residents in Westwood, they come through when you need them to," Tucke said. "They really do."

The Westwood Food Pantry also works with food pantries in Dedham and Norwood, donating surplus items that cannot fit in the Westwood facility. 

The food pantry is located beteween the and Thurston Middle School on Nahatan Street. 

To see a full list of what items the pantry is currently requesting, click here.