Mystic Valley Elder Services, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, has taken part in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Farmers to Family Box Program.

Eight Councils on Aging and Senior Centers in Mystic Valley Elder Services’ service area participated in the program receiving a total of 865 food boxes to distribute to older adults in their communities. The food boxes, which contain hot dogs, sausages and sausage patties or chicken, are no cost to the resident so it is a form of “food pantry” items provided to Massachusetts by the USDA.

The initial delivery took place last week at the Stoneham Council on Aging where 100 boxes were dropped off. Council on Aging Director Maureen Canova and her staff will be delivering these boxes to those older adults in need in the Stoneham community.

“The Stoneham Council on Aging is so appreciative of Mystic Valley Elder Services and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs for offering this program to residents in our community,” says Stoneham’s Council on Aging Director Maureen Canova.  “This pandemic has truly exposed the need for support for many older adults who may be experiencing food insecurity whether chronically or during this unprecedented time.  We are so grateful for the positive impact this has made in our community.”

In total, the program—which runs through the end of 2020—will provide more than 36,000 boxes of food to older adults in Massachusetts, benefiting more than 20,000 seniors.