Every first and third Saturday, Project New Hope hosts Sully’s Veteran Food Pantry for veterans at 70 James Street in Worcester from 9 a.m to noon. This past week’s pick ups included an additional Thanksgiving treat to give back to the veterans and their families.

“We’re just seeing the need here,” Bill Moore, president and CEO, said. “Having 45-50 veterans coming in, it’s very important.”

Veterans were able to pick up “all of the fixings,” as Moore said, as well as other items that will supply families with plenty for the holiday. 

Every other week at the pantry, veterans receive a grocery list that allows them to check off what items they would like, allowing for the pantry to provide choice for the veterans while also ensuring lower amounts of food is wasted. 

“When they pull up, they’re only getting the food they want,” Moore said. 

Veterans and their families can choose from a variety of pastas, canned meats, condiments, baking items, breakfast foods, snacks, meats, vegetables, soups, and more. There are also toiletries available, such as toothbrushes, deodorant, and toilet paper. Project New Hope also has a baby pantry in Worcester to provide new parents with items.


“This started off with just one shelf and it’s grown over the year,” said Debbie Erickson, the pantry director. “We now do food drives. Any company that’s interested in doing a collection, we love it. We can make it fun and exciting. We’re always looking for volunteers.”

Volunteers stock the items as well as fill the orders that the families make. They also help with curbside pickup.

“I love being able to help out here. I get to meet people and hear their stories,” Ella Bradshaw, who is a volunteer and junior at Notre Dame Academy. “It feels really helpful and it feels like I’m really making a difference.

Wendy Cehon, a more “seasoned” Project New Hope volunteer, said that her husband is the treasure in the organization. When Covid-19 hit, Cehon said they decided to volunteer more within the food pantry.

“We stepped in as a family and we just haven’t stopped,” Cehon said. “It’s been really wonderful to meet veterans and not just give them their food but talk with them. It’s been very rewarding…I’m happy to give back, knowing we’re giving them nutritious food for the holidays so that they can celebrate with their family.”

In addition to the grocery items, Project New Hope is providing a $20 gift card to those who are registered through the food pantry for Thanksgiving.

“They can go out and purchase their turkey or ham or fish,” Moore said.

Project New Hope has historically supported veterans with wellness resources. Prior to the pandemic, the group hosted retreats to targeted groups, including post traumatic stress, TBI, caregivers, women veterans, couples, MST, and LGBTQ. Activities included meditation, reflexology, campfires, equine therapy, and hikes.

Due to the pandemic, though, that had to change. While the pantry has existed for a few years now, it grew since the onset of Covid-19.

“We kind of pivoted to provide food assistance, and it’s just grown over time,” Moore said. “Last month, between the three offices, we served well over 700 veteran families with food.”

Walmart provides nonperishable food to the pantries, according to Moore. Lilac Hedge Farm in Rutland also supplies fresh eggs and produce. 

For Moore, the service hits close to home.

“It’s very important. As a disabled veteran myself, I know how our veterans deal with food insecurity,” he said. “They just can’t make ends meet. Inflation is going through the roof. Everything is very expensive.”

Moore said that at the grocery stores he frequents, oftentimes the shelves are empty still or people are taking straight from delivery boxes due to the increased need. 

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans who served in the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are almost twice as likely to be food insecure compared to the general population. A quarter of the households supported by Feeding America, an organization that networks 200 food banks across the United States, are homes that have a veteran in them. 

The pandemic has only made these numbers worse.

“People aren’t all full back to work yet,” Moore said. “It’s putting a real strain on our community.”

Project New Hope also has a pantry in Westfield, which is open Monday through Friday. Another pantry in White River Field, Vermont is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

People are able to donate, and even “adopt” a family for the holidays. To learn more, go to www.projectnewhopema.org.