EASTHAM — The food pantry in Eastham has been around for 44 years — longer than any other on the Outer Cape, said Joan Lockhart, who manages it. Nestled behind the Eastham Methodist Church, the unassuming space holds a wealth of fresh produce, frozen meats, and packaged foods, and even some other essentials like jackets and toothbrushes.
The pantry was founded in 1980 as the “Love Pantry” by Lois Langhans and Christine Austin, who wanted to provide food for their fellow parishioners, many of them women who struggled to pay for groceries while their husbands were out at sea, said Lockhart.
Today, the pantry is open to all Eastham residents. It is now one of nine funded by the Lower Cape Outreach Council, a nonprofit created in 1984 — also by members of the Eastham Methodist Church.
About 90 percent of the pantry’s stock comes from the Greater Boston Food Bank, Lockhart said. The rest comes from donations and food drives across the Outer Cape, including the Orleans Stop & Shop and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Wellfleet. One anonymous donor, who Lockhart refers to as “Santa Claus,” donates $1,000 or more each year.
The pantry also receives donations of food from local businesses, Lockhart says. The Friendly Fisherman donates leftover clam chowder and lobster stew when it closes for the winter, she says. Sam’s Deli, the Chocolate Cafe, and the Eastham Superette also help stock the pantry with surplus items.
Donations of groceries and supplies can be dropped off in the vestibule of the church as well as at the Eastham library. Lockhart said she especially appreciates donations of toilet paper, toothpaste, and shampoo, which aren’t usually prioritized by the Lower Cape Outreach Council when it purchases stock from the Greater Boston Food Bank.
The pantry has provided 41 families with Thanksgiving dinner this year, Lockhart said. Each family received a turkey, a box of produce plus stuffing, cranberries, and other fixings.
EASTHAM
Eastham Food Pantry
Open Monday 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. to noon, and Thursday 2 to 4 p.m.
United Methodist Church, 3200 Route 6
508-240-0694
Eastham Food Exchange
A 24/7 cupboard, open to all.
Chapel in the Pines, 220 Samoset Rd.
617-888-3286
Council on Aging
Mobile food pantry: first Wednesday of every month; Brown Bag Friday: first Friday of every month; “Grab & Go” prepared meals: second and fourth Fridays of every month; meal delivery: every Tuesday and Thursday.
1405 Nauset Rd.
508-240-2327
