It Takes a Village - Now More Than Ever
As we head into the holiday season and colder months, many of our neighbors are feeling the strain of the high cost of living, rising grocery prices, and heating bills on the way. In addition, uncertainty surrounding SNAP funding in November has left many families unsure of how they’ll make ends meet.
At the Medway Village Food Pantry, we’re seeing that need firsthand - and we know that together, our community can rise to meet it.
This holiday season, we invite you to join our It Takes a Village campaign. It’s an easy and meaningful way to make a difference: create a fundraising page, share it with your friends, family, and colleagues, and help us keep our shelves stocked through the winter months.
Every dollar raised helps ensure that local families have food, warmth, and hope during the most challenging time of year.
Now more than ever, your involvement matters - because it truly takes a village.
| | |
Honoring Our Volunteers and A Lasting Legacy
On October 9, 2025, we had the joy of celebrating our incredible volunteers - the heartbeat of our mission and the reason we can serve our neighbors with care and compassion week after week. Our Volunteer Appreciation event was filled with laughter, gratitude, and the amazing people who make everything we do possible.
This year, 20 outstanding volunteers were recognized with the Marilyn H. Conley Volunteer Service Award, honoring those who dedicated over 100 hours of service throughout the year.
Previously known as the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the honor was renamed earlier this year to recognize our founder, Marilyn H. Conley, whose vision, generosity, and tireless spirit continue to inspire every aspect of the pantry’s work. The award now celebrates not only our volunteers’ dedication but also the lasting legacy of a remarkable founder.
Congratulations to the 2025 Marilyn H. Conley Volunteer Service Award recipients:
| | |
Brian Adams
Harsh Balamurugan
Jen Capalbo
Blanca Choate
Anna DeMartinis
Susan Dietrich
Martin Dietrich
Diane Erickson
Jodie Garzon
Jean Geneseo
| |  | |
Gary Krist
Kaoru Oldmixon
Gerald Rafferty
Michelle Reed
Mike Sheehan
Aadhavan Sivakumar
Oviya Sivakumar
Jen Tomasetti
Ryan Tomasetti
Roy Young
| | | | |
Inspiring News from Our Neighbors
The Sudbury Community Food Pantry just purchased their new building mortgage-free, made possible by the incredible support of local philanthropists, foundations, and businesses.
Stories like this fuel our own commitment to strengthening our community and creating a long-term sustainable resource for our community.
| | | |
A Morning Full of Smiles at the Pantry
On Saturday, October 18th, the pantry was filled with laughter, smiles, and a bit of Halloween magic thanks to Mother Lucy Goose, who stopped by to make balloon animals and festive creations for the kids.
Her visit brought joy to everyone - even our older youth volunteers couldn’t resist joining in the fun and getting a balloon of their own! The laughter and excitement were truly contagious.
Moments like this remind us how kindness and creativity can lift spirits and bring our community closer together.
| | |
First Ride for Food 5K a Huge Success!
On Sunday, October 5th, a dedicated group of our volunteers laced up their sneakers and participated in the Ride for Food 5K at the Nobles & Greenough campus in Dedham. This was our first year taking part in this inspiring event and our amazing team raised nearly $11,000 to support our mission!
The Ride for Food, organized by Three Squares New England, brings together organizations working to fight food insecurity across the region. It was a beautiful day filled with community spirit, teamwork, and a shared commitment to ensuring everyone has access to nutritious food.
We’re so proud of our team and grateful to everyone who supported them along the way!
| |
Myth vs. Fact
What do people get wrong about food insecurity?
The Greater Boston Food Bank is busting some of the most common myths about hunger in our communities. Click here to learn the facts and help spread awareness.
| | | | |
Join the Movement This Giving Tuesday
Last year, over $3.6 billion was donated to charities in the U.S. on Giving Tuesday - a powerful reminder of what’s possible when communities come together.
This year, we’re inviting you - our Medway Village Food Pantry family - to be part of that movement through our It Takes a Village 2025 Holiday Campaign, kicking off on Tuesday, December 2nd.
Here’s how it works:
- Signup using the link below.
- Set up your personal fundraising page by Thanksgiving.
- Launch your campaign on Giving Tuesday (12/2/25) by sharing it with friends, family, and colleagues through social media, text, or email.
- We’ll provide all the tools and support you need to make it easy and fun.
- Students can earn up to 15 service hours.
Sign up today and help us make sure no neighbor goes without this season!
| | | |
| |
Scouting For Food
November 8, 2025
Shaw's Medway
This annual event helps both Medway food pantries fill their shelves for the busy holiday season!
| | | |
| |
Nourishing Neighbors
November and December
Shaw's Medway
This holiday season, you will have the option at checkout at the Medway Shaw’s to donate money to the Medway Village Food Pantry through the Nourishing Neighbors program. The monies collected will be converted to gift cards that we will receive in the new year. We rely heavily on these gift cards to purchase critical items throughout the year, including cereal and soup, that we cannot order through the Greater Boston Food Bank.
| | | |
Volunteer Spotlight
Izzy Trull
Izzy Trull (pictured far left), a freshman at the University of Virginia and former Franklin High School student, first joined our volunteer team during her junior year of high school. From day one, she was an incredible addition - always ready to jump in, often rallying her friends at a moment’s notice whenever we needed extra hands.
Even now, while home from college for Columbus Day weekend, Izzy returned to volunteer on a Saturday morning, showing that her commitment to serving her community hasn’t wavered. Her energy, generosity, and leadership continue to inspire everyone at the pantry.
Thank you, Izzy, for being a shining example of how one person can make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors.
"I love volunteering at the Medway Village Food Pantry whenever I can because of the community of people it provides. From the day I first started volunteering everyone has been welcoming, helpful, and genuine. I enjoy the shared mission that connects people and I hope to always make a positive impact. I am so thankful to be a part of the community."
| | |
Community Partner Spotlight
SunLife
Over the past several months, five dedicated SunLife employees have gone above and beyond to support our mission, assembling and delivering dental care kits for families in need.
What makes their impact even greater is that SunLife and its sister company DentaQuest provide a range of charitable giving benefits - including matching donations, opportunities to donate through direct deposit, and even the ability to make a contribution for the time employees spend volunteering.
We’re so grateful for their ongoing partnership and generosity. Their commitment to giving back - both personally and professionally - helps ensure our neighbors have the resources they need to thrive.
Kits donated by Max Hundertmark, Lisa Hundertmark, Maureen Clark, Aaron Lipman, and Pamela Brown.
| | | | A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account that lets you set aside money for donations while receiving an immediate tax benefit. From there, you can recommend grants to nonprofits like the Medway Village Food Pantry at any time. | | GEM stands for Give Every Month. Giving monthly enables you to make an impact all year long. By giving monthly, you spread your gift out throughout the year and support our work year-round. Join our loyal group of supporters who are committed to ending hunger! Become a GEM! | | Many companies provide matching gift programs, which can double the impact of your donation to the Medway Village Food Pantry. Last year alone, 8% of our donation income came directly from employer matches - proof of how powerful these programs can be. | | Take Action Company | Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy |
| | | |
