Where Can Residents Donate Food in Reading?

The holiday season is a busy one for everyone. But that's especially the case for food pantries in the area. That's where you come in.

So how can you help out the less fortunate with Thanksgiving just around the corner?

You can start by making a trip to Old South United Methodist Church, which is where the Reading Food Pantry is located. 

According to Phyllis Maxwell, assistant director of the pantry, the biggest thing that will help this holiday season is a cash donation.

When residents donate financially to the Reading Food Pantry, it helps assure that organizers can purchase fresh items, frozen meats, vegetables and healthier items from the Greater Boston Food Bank rather than canned items that may be higher in sodium.

But Reading residents are also encouraged to donate non-perishable food items to help out this holiday season. The church is open for donations 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, there are donation boxes set up at Stop and Shop as well as at Market Basket.

"This is by far the time of year that we get most of our donations, and a lot of our requests for assistance," said Maxwell.