More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.
Wellesley Mothers Forum will hold its Fall Carnival on Saturday, September 17, 10am-12pm, on the Wellesley Town Green (between Town Hall and the Post Office in Wellesley Square). Join the community organization for a day of family fun including bouncy houses, performances from Walnut Hill, music with Bach to Rock, face painting, fall crafts, magic and more. Don’t forget to wish Wellesley Police community service dog Winnie a very happy birthday.
There are some who might be surprised to learn that many Wellesley residents need help putting food on the table. After all, the US Census Bureau puts the 2020 median household income in town at $214K, so with numbers like that, where’s the need? The truth wasn’t publicly acknowledged in Wellesley until the late 1980s that many neighbors aren’t quite so flush and might need some help with the groceries. Seems that residents in need were going over to Natick to access the food pantry in that town, since Wellesley was without such a safety net.
That changed in 1989, when the Wellesley Food Pantry opened its doors at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church thanks to the efforts of representatives from local houses of worship, along with Wellesley Friendly Aid board members. Once the ball got rolling, volunteers quickly stepped up to donate needed items, organize the shelves, and provide monetary support. Today the Pantry is supported by special programs like the annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive (which accounts for about 10% of the yearly donated food) and the Wellesley Scouting for Food Drive (which brings in about 40% of food donations). Given that both those drives were canceled during the pandemic, the spike in monetary donations of $130,854 donated to the Pantry in 2021 was a welcome infusion of resources.
In addition, the Wellesley Food Pantry gets donations from area businesses, houses of worship, civic organizations, and everyday people who make room in their grocery carts each week for a few donations to run over to the Pantry. Village Table, a Wellesley-based organization set up during the pandemic to combat food insecurity, is also one of the Pantry’s partners, with the charitable group’s fully prepared, fresh, and nutritious meals a popular item among clients.
“We serve 174 families and 97 children,” said Pantry board of directors president Peter Lull in during an interview at the Pantry. “Usually our breakout is about a third of clients 18 years and younger, and about a third 65 years and older,” with the rest falling somewhere in between.
There are two constants in the world of the Wellesley Food Pantry—donations are always needed, and space at the pantry is always limited.
“We don’t have a ton of storage space,” says Lull. “We ask that when people want to donate they really stick to the specific wish list we have because we don’t have the room to store a lot of excess inventory.”
Check the Pantry website for the wish list for items most in need at the moment. There are also collection bins at Roche Bros. and Whole Foods. Or you can do a curbside drop-off on Mondays, 2pm-3pm, at the west entrance of Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, 207 Washington St.
Largesse from vegetable gardens is also welcome. Residents can drop fresh produce donations on Tuesdays, 8am-11:30am, in the Wellesley Hills Church kitchen (from the west entrance, down the stairs and to the right before entering the assembly room).
Monetary donations are also welcome. On average the Pantry spends over $2,000 per week to purchase foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits, meats, eggbeaters and other perishable items, as well as non-perishables when donations are low. Almost all monetary donations ($130K in 2021) go directly to stocking the Pantry, as administrative expenses are minimal—the staff and management are all volunteers, and the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church provides the Pantry with rent-free space.
You may also donate using PayPal or a credit card.
Helping out at the Food Pantry is one of those gigs in town that people tend to hang onto once they secure their spot. Lull has volunteered for over 15 years. “We are always willing to take names, but for the most part we’re pretty well staffed. We don’t get a lot of volunteer turnover,” he said.
He says there are several dozen regular volunteers and dozens of occasional helpers from Wellesley Service League, National Charity League, Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club, and more.
Support from the Wellesley Food Pantry is open to all qualified Wellesley residents. Residents needing Food Pantry assistance can register by email, mail, or in person with an appointment. More information here.
Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
The Veterans Services department is seeking volunteers to assist with Wellesley Memorial Day preparations.
On Friday, May 20 at 3:45 p.m. volunteers are needed to help place flags on veterans’ graves at Woodlawn Cemetery (148 Brook Street). Please contact Graves and Ceremonial Officer Joe Oliveri at 774-292-9932 to participate.
On Monday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. the Town will hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony outdoors at the Wellesley War Memorial in front of Town Hall. The community is invited to attend and honor the service of our military heroes.
This always moving service includes a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, a rifle salute by the Wellesley Police Department, patriotic songs, and more.
This Saturday, May 14, the Wellesley Post office is supporting the Wellesley Food Pantry as part of the 30th annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
Letter carriers will pick up food donations from residents’ homes and deliver them to the pantry at the end of their work day. Residents are asked to package their donations into sturdy bags and place them near their mailboxes in visible locations in the morning.
While the pantry gratefully accepts donations of all unexpired nonperishable items, the following are among the most needed items:
Please avoid glass containers for the safety of the letter carriers and pantry volunteers.
Alternatively, residents may bring their donations to the pantry during regular curbside collection hours (Mondays 2-3pm) or to the permanent collection bins inside Whole Foods or Roche Bros. any time during their business hours.
Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
The 9th annual Wonder Run 5K & Kid’s Fun Run will take place on Sunday, May 22 as part of Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend. Sponsored by the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club, the Wonder Run will begin at 8am followed by the Kid’s Fun Run and activities led by Sensei Nicco at 9am at the Wellesley High School track.
The Wonder Run will be hero-themed so break out those capes or scrubs and support the WHJWC. Costumes are encouraged for all ages.
Pre-registration fee: $35 for adults, $15 for kids
Pre-registration closes Thursday, May 19 at 11pm
Kids Fun Run registration is capped at 200 registrants.
Same-day registration fee: $40 for adults, $20 for kids
Please register here.
EVENT: Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club Wonder Run
DATE: Sunday, May 22, 2022
START TIME: 8am
LOCATION: Wellesley High School
The Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club (WHJWC) will present the 21st annual Wellesley Kitchen and Home Tour on Saturday, May 7, 10am – 3pm. The tour will showcase seven exquisite homes where guests will be invited to visit the first floor and outside spaces while also shopping at pop-up boutiques (perfect for Mother’s Day gifts) featured along the route. Architects, interior designers, and/or contractors will also be on hand to answer questions specific to the home.
Tickets are on sale at www.whjwc.org for $65. Same-day ticket purchases are NOT available, and tickets WILL sell out!
15 Tappan Road
10 Arden Road
28 Sheridan Road
44 Woodcliff Road
11 Sagamore Road
40 Boulder Brook Road
20 Old Farm Road
For more information and day-of tips, please visit www.whjwc.org. One big thing to be aware of— booties will be provided and required for entry into all homes. No socks, shoes or bare feet permitted. So leave the stilettos at home. This is the time to step out in your comfiest flats.
Every year, the Rotary Club of Wellesley purchases and bags 500 tree saplings for distribution to Wellesley fourth graders. Susy Jordon, Wellesley Town horticultural technician, then hands out the bagged saplings for the students to plant. She also teaches a lesson on Arbor Day conservation while handing out the trees.
This year the club is bagging Pin Oaks, and it’s looking for some more volunteers to help. The club is bagging them on Tuesday, April 19 from 4:30-6PM at the DPW Parking lot at 30 Municipal Way in Wellesley.
If you can join the effort, please register on the Rotary web site as a guest for the event.
