On behalf of the Belmont Food Collaborative (BFC), I want to thank everyone who participated in, attended, watched, and promoted the Hunger in Belmont forum on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Belmont High School. BFC hosted the event, which featured a panel with representatives from organizations working to promote food security in Belmont, including Belmont Farmers’ Market, Belmont Food Pantry, Belmont Helps, Belmont Public Schools, the BHS Food Insecurity Club, and Belmont Community Fridge (coming soon).
Food Link Executive Director Rachel Albert moderated an energizing and eye-opening discussion about ongoing efforts to help neighbors in need. In Belmont, more than 600 families receive SNAP benefits, which have become harder to access due to federal policies. The event raised awareness about existing gaps in food access and how people can get involved.
What became clear during the evening is that there’s an ecosystem of organizations working to make sure Belmont residents have enough food to eat. As Albert said: “No one entity can do it all.” Even with the many Belmont organizations working on this issue, including ones beyond the panel, navigating food resources is incredibly complicated, and there are still holes that need to be filled, such as ensuring kids get enough food during the summer when they no longer have access to school meals. What’s also evident is that we have an extremely caring community of people dedicated to addressing these issues.
We hope that this forum will spark continued discussions and more efforts to reduce hunger in our community. To watch the recording of the Hunger in Belmont forum or learn more about the programs represented, including ways to volunteer and how to donate, please visit: https://www.belmontfood.org/groups-fighting-hunger.
Abby Klingbeil, Claflin Street
Editor’s Note: The Belmont Food Collaborative is an umbrella organization for Belmont Farmers’ Market and Belmont Helps.
