It’s easy to take for granted all the blessings we receive during the holidays. Sitting down to a delicious meal alongside family and friends is an occasion that should be looked forward to and cherished each year; but for some Islanders, this tradition may be out of reach.
Whether folks face financial obstacles, or are physically unable to shop for and prepare these types of meals, Family to Family wants to make sure every Islander has plenty of food to eat this holiday season.
The Serving Hands Food Distribution service’s annual Family to Family programs see all holidays as opportunities to benefit the Island community. For Thanksgiving, Easter, and in this case, Christmas and Hanukkah, Family to Family does incredible work to bring fresh and nutritious food to those in need. The program is part of the Vineyard Committee on Hunger.
Family to Family coordinator Betty Burton said that after 15 years of providing food baskets for people during the holidays, she has seen inumerable acts of generosity and kindness from volunteers and members of the community.
“It’s really amazing how people come together during the holidays. Everyone who takes part in this initiative is just one big family,” Burton said. “We are all centered around one goal, and that’s helping the people of Martha’s Vineyard.”
Burton said Family to Family collects cash donations from generous donors in order to purchase fresh food from Reliable Market at a discounted price.
“When the time comes, we head to Reliable Market and buy potatoes, bags of onions, apples, carrots, spinach, stuffing mix, squash — just about anything you might need for a holiday meal,” Burton said.
And of course, the holiday meal isn’t complete without turkey or chicken. “We give people the choice of roast turkey or chicken. It’s a really special thing that Reliable gives us a discount to help us out during the holidays,” Burton said.
Burton said about 30 dedicated volunteers help set up the food pickup at the First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven. “Our volunteers really are the backbone of our organization,” Burton said. They start by purchasing all the food, then bringing it back to the church and setting up an “assembly line.”
Volunteers grab a few of each food item and place them in a separate bag, until all the ingredients necessary for a complete holiday meal are accounted for. Burton explained that each bag has the same food items in it, in order to be equitable for each person that utilizes the service.
In total, Burton said hundreds of baskets are filled and distributed, including hundreds of pounds of fresh produce and dozens of turkeys and chickens.
“Last year we gave out over 225 bags filled with food. We also always have extra food donated from Cronig’s, Stop & Shop, and the Greater Boston Food Bank,” Burton said.
She also said Island farms have donated food in the past, including cheese from Grey Barn Farm, Brussels sprouts from Slough Farm, and organic produce from Island Grown Initiative’s Thimble Farm.
“We pride ourselves on trying to have each bag contain 60 to 70 percent fresh produce, because it is often the hardest to find and afford,” Burton said.
And for those who can’t make the trip to the church to pick up their food, volunteers drive to their places of residence to deliver it personally. “We usually deliver around 45 bags to people who are homebound and can’t make it,” Burton said.
According to Burton, around six volunteer drivers deliver food baskets to the disabled and the elderly, including many residents of the Woodside and Hillside Village senior homes.
After filling the church with food, Burton said it’s moving to see it all disappear before her eyes.
“Within a few hours, it’s all gone. And you know it’s going to be enjoyed by families and treasured during the holidays,” Burton said.
If folks show up late to the basket giveaway, they can pick out some of the extra food, or get a gift certificate to Reliable.
“We want to make sure we can feed as many people as possible; that is our ultimate mission,” Burton said.
During the holidays is when Burton says Family to Family receives most of its donations, and the Island faith community is a major contributor.
“People want to give during the holiday season because they know that everyone deserves to have a delicious meal at this time of year,” Burton said. She said she hopes to raise $22,000 by the end of December in order to have money to buy food for Easter.
And Burton said she often sees familiar faces returning every year to collect their holiday meals.
“It’s not just people who can’t find food for today or for this holiday — it’s people that have a consistent problem finding enough food to eat on a daily basis,” Burton said.
For Burton, building a close-knit relationship with everyone who utilizes the Family to Family holiday baskets program is essential.
“You work really hard anywhere from 9 am to 4 pm, but you walk out feeling very good because you are doing something that is valuable to people,” Burton said.
Burton said some systemic issues in America and across the world make this a necessary effort, but there are some problems that are unique to communities like Martha’s Vineyard.
“Housing issues make this very specific to the Island. We have lots of homeless people coming through, and we try to set them up with the nutritious food they need,” Burton said.
Over the years, Burton said, more and more Island establishments have donated food, and the variety of food has grown as well.
“We just added spinach and fresh cranberries, along with a dozen eggs in each basket,” Burton said. “We hope to make people’s holidays special by providing not just food, but a memorable experience that can be shared with others.”
Food baskets will be distributed at the First Baptist Church on Friday, Dec. 20, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Family to Family is asking for $25 donations for each basket, but Burton said any contribution is greatly appreciated. If you would like to make a cash or check donation at any time, send it to P.O. Box 4685, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, and indicate that the donation is for Family to Family.