Food Services

Abby’s House prepares more than 10,000 nutritious meals each year. Our Kitchen Manager is assisted by a large corps of volunteers, who donate more than 2,230 hours of their time to prepare and serve meals to the women and children. If we had to pay for staff instead of being able to rely on volunteers, it would add another $39,694 to the budget!
 
In addition to stretching our food dollars through the use of volunteers, we also receive a significant amount of in-kind donations, including:

• 1,248 gallons of milk from Rachel’s Table  
• 1,440 meals prepared off site and delivered by volunteer groups
• Approximately 1,000 supermarket gift cards, ranging from $25-$100/each
• Miscellaneous food donations throughout the year (for example, dozens of frozen turkeys during the holiday season

However, we still need to purchase fresh vegetables, fruit and meat, which is why supermarket gift cards make a great donation. Contributions that are not used at 52 High Street and/or the shelter are distributed to the families living in our apartments. We also pass along donations to the food pantry run by a local church.
 
The Connection Between Food and Well-being
Our guests and residents have usually experienced a period of significant disruption in their lives prior to arriving at Abby’s House. During this period, they may have not been able to feed themselves adequately or nutritiously. Given the significant connection between an individual's nutrition and her health status and outcomes, providing regular, nutritious meals to our guests and residents is an important step in helping them get back on their feet.
 
By gathering for meals in community, the women and children we serve also benefit from camaraderie, support, friendship and laughter, which is a vital part of the healing process. By providing hospitality, it is our goal that our guests and residents leave the table with a full belly and a warm heart.
 
Ways You Can Help
Many community groups prepare meals off-site and drop them off, or come to the kitchen at 52 High Street to prepare them in our kitchen. Other groups run food drives and drop off what they've collected. Individual volunteers also come to the kitchen to help with food preparation. 
 
Food donations can be dropped off between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday-Friday at 52 High Street, Worcester. It's best if you call ahead. Please make sure that the food is not beyond its expiration date and has been handled and stored properly.
 
If you would like to prepare a meal off-site, please contact Jean Anger: (508)-756-5486 ext. 27. If you would like to help with on-site meal preparation, please call Jean or complete the  Volunteer Application Form. 
 
If you're planning to run a food drive, please contact Julie Komenos: (508)-756-5486 ext. 17. She can give you an idea of the types of food we need most.
 
Gift cards to local supermarkets in any denomination are always welcome and can be dropped off at the main office at 52 High Street, Worcester between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday-Friday, or mailed to Julie Komenos.