WELLESLEY
In the second City and Town Spotlight, we head to Wellesley which welcomes runners from miles 13 to 16. Wellesley is the fifth town on the route and is famous for the scream tunnel you’ll experience outside Wellesley College. The Wellesley Food Pantry is one of the local organizations who has benefited from raising funds through entry into the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America.
In 2023, 18 local nonprofits in Wellesley raised nearly $140,000 through their marathon participation. Demand is high for the opportunity, so the Select Board ensures that all groups in the community – children and youths, families in need, senior citizens – are supported through a wide range of programs. The funds raised each year directly support food insecurity, education costs, mental health support, climate change awareness, youth enrichment programs and more. Marathon funds are an incredible gift for the organizations selected each year and the individuals who benefit.
One such organization is the Wellesley Food Pantry (WFP). It began in 1989 and provides nutritious supplemental food resources to residents of Wellesley who are food insecure. The all-volunteer organization serves approximately 400 Wellesley residents, with about 40% being seniors (aged 60+) and close to a third being aged 18 & under.
Peter Lull, WFP President explains, “WFP is a vital and respected organization in our town and its impact is recognized far beyond our clients. We are lucky to have an entry into the Boston Marathon for 2024, as the daughter of one of our volunteers is ready to be our fundraiser and take on the 26.2 miles. As the cost of food continues to spike, our clients are under increased pressure to make ends meet and we want to be able to offer them as many healthy food options, particularly fresh produce, as possible. The money raised from the marathon will really be a welcome boost to our purchasing power.”
Describing the impact of the marathon for the town, Lull continues: “As home of the halfway point, the marathon is woven into the fabric of the town. The streets are lined, often several people deep. From the welcome of the Scream Tunnel at Wellesley College through Wellesley Square past our iconic Town Hall and into the Hills over Route 9 and down into the Lower Falls before exiting to Newton people are excited to be a part of a major international event. Residents create signs, have parties along the route, and cheer and clap for hours to encourage the marathoners to keep going. The marathon is one of the highlights on the Wellesley calendar. We feel lucky to be a part of the route and the Wellesley Food Pantry is fortunate to be part of the day in a bigger way.”
Stephanie Hawkinson, Town of Wellesley Boston Marathon program coordinator said, “For many of our very small nonprofits like the Wellesley Food Pantry, demand for services continues to increase and fundraising is becoming more challenging. Entry to the Boston Marathon has far-reaching benefits while ensuring the money stays in our community - sustaining programs, providing critical emergency support, and making sure families and individuals in Wellesley don’t fall through the cracks.”
If you’d like to support the Wellesley Food Pantry, find out more HERE.