Marj Crispin Center reports jump in need, readies Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions

Anne Toland, a representative of the Marj Crispin Center, told the Town of Braintree Town Council on Nov. 18 that demand for the center’s food and holiday assistance has increased sharply this year and described plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions.

Toland said the center, which participates in the Greater Boston Food Bank network, typically receives "1,500 to 2,500 pounds of food each time we go in," usually twice a month, and supplements that with purchased items and community donations. She reported that last year the center distributed Thanksgiving assistance to about "201" families and that "this year we're already up to 241 families that are going to get turkey," adding the center will distribute meals on Monday, Nov. 24 in two shifts (9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 4 p.m.–7 p.m.). Toland said the center also expects to pick up 96 turkeys from the Food Bank and noted local businesses and organizations are providing refrigerated storage and additional donations.

Toland described the Christmas toy distribution and related programs: volunteers prepare age-appropriate gift packs and gift-card envelopes for teens, and the center organizes a town-wide toy party (this year to be held at a local venue identified as "Leo's") with setup beginning Dec. 14 and distribution Dec. 16–18. She also listed partner groups and donors by name, including the Joshua Kaye Foundation (which provided large baking bags) and corporate donors such as Voya Financial, and noted school and postal-employee collections that contributed funds and items.

Council members praised the center’s work. Councilor Quilty said the center “serves their clients with kindness and respect” and noted the rising need in town; Councilor Flarin thanked Toland for the dignity with which clients are treated. Toland described the center’s delivery program, which began during the COVID pandemic and now provides roughly 41 deliveries every other Thursday to clients who cannot pick up food.

Toland provided cost and distribution details: she estimated each Thanksgiving basket costs about $100 to assemble, referenced the center’s grocery lists used to select items from Food Bank allocations, and said volunteers staple grocery lists to bags to ensure clients receive requested items. She also requested small-denomination gift cards for teen envelopes and said a pajama drive ensures every child receives at least one pair of pajamas.

The update closed with Toland leaving printed schedules and the center’s status report for council staff. No formal action or vote was taken on the Marj Crispin Center report; council members and the public were encouraged to support donations and volunteer efforts.

Next steps: Thanksgiving distributions are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 24 (two shifts), and Christmas distribution activities are scheduled to begin setup Dec. 14 with distributions Dec. 16–18; the center invited volunteers and donations and provided contact information via printed schedules left with town staff.