Harvest on Vine
News from Harvest on Vine
a Charlestown Hero
Earlier this month, The John F. Kennedy Family Service Center, Inc. an affiliate of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) nominated Tom MacDonald who runs the Harvest on Vine (HOV) food pantry in conjunction with the Charlestown Catholic Collaborative.
He was one of nineteen people selected and celebrated for this award in the city of Boston. ABCD celebrates resolute volunteers like Tom who work tirelessly in their respective communities to assist and empower our neighbors.
HOV has grown from serving seven families in 2003 to more than six hundred today. The partnership with the JFK Family Service Center has been critical to this growth. In addition, the relationship with the St. Vincent de Paul society has also enabled the distribution of six hundred coats (donated graciously by Ocean State Job lot) over the last two years.
Tom explained his motivation for doing this work, “I love doing it. I get to see the best of humanity. The community is beautiful to me. It is just one big family.”
We give thanks to Tom MacDonald as he is a facilitator of good at each opportunity that comes his way.
The Harvest on Vine volunteers
Harvest on Vine
December 2024 Schedule
Charlestown Catholic Community
Harvest on Vine
2024 Summary
Recent Improvements
Harvest on Vine began in 2003 with seven families. Today we serve 702 families, comprised of 1,525 people. In the past 18 months we’ve made the following advancements.
We purchased an 8’ x 10’ walk-in freezer that holds 4,000 pounds of food. The IBEW donated their services to install the needed electricity. Our expansion matches the Greater Boston Food Bank’s expansion, giving us the maximum benefit they offer. Money from a grant paid for the freezer.
We upgraded our client check-in system with an application called Oasis. The Greater Boston Food Bank provided Oasis at no cost. They also provided training. Each client now has a membership card with a barcode. The system keeps accurate counts, counts that are needed when applying for funding.
We partnered with Mishawum Park and the Greater Boston Food Bank to put in place a mobile market. Each month we transport truckloads of food to Mishawum’s community center and distribute the goods on site. The Mishawum team is doing outstanding work.
We joined up with the City of Boston’s Office for Food Justice (OFJ). The OFJ assessed our operation and advised us on how to better serve the clients. We discussed at length the anxiety our clients experienced while waiting in line, sometimes for three hours. The assessment led to a change. We now have two lines going simultaneously, cutting the wait time in half.
We teamed up with the Kennedy Center to buy tons of fresh produce for our families. The program provided a nutritional boon for a community that is designated a food desert. Our clients live below the poverty line, and most of them don’t have cars to get to supermarkets.
We always need more volunteers, especially since we changed to a two-line system. If you would like to volunteer, email tmacdonald@stmarystcatherine.org or call 617-990-7314.
November 2024
Winter coat distribution with the St. Vincent De Paul Society. A passionate supporter of Harvest on Vine made inroads with the charitable branch of Ocean State Job Lots. As a result, Ocean State donated 600 winter coats. The St. Vincent De Paul Society, along with Harvest on Vine volunteers, sorted the merchandise, organized the families, and distributed the coats over a three-day period.
Thanksgiving turkey distribution – Tuesday 11/26 1PM
Harvest on Vine will be giving out 550 Thanksgiving baskets this year. This annual event has become an expensive
undertaking. The Bunker Hill Associates and the Charlestown Mothers Association teamed up to raise money for the effort. Donations can also be made on the Charlestown Catholic Collaborative webpage.
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Tom
Charlestown Catholic Community
Harvest on Vine
November 2024 Calendar
49 Vine Street
Friday November 8th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday November 9th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Tuesday, November 26th-1:00 pm Thanksgiving Set-up
*Tuesday, November 26th – 2:00 pm – Thanksgiving Distribution
*We expect to serve upwards of 500 families!
Mishawum Park
Thursday, November 21st – 1:00 pm – (Dunstable St.)
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Tom
Charlestown Catholic Community
Harvest on Vine
October 2024 Calendar
49 Vine Street
Friday October 11th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday October 12th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Monday, October 28th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
*Tuesday, October 29th – 2:00 pm – Distribution
*Note time change for distribution – it is too dark at 6:00pm2:00 pm
Mishawum Park
Thursday, October 17th – 1:00 pm – (Dunstable St.)
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
Thank you and Happy Halloween
Tom
Charlestown Catholic Community
Sunday, September 29, 2024, Harvest on Vine Fundraiser at Brewer’s Fork.
A very big thank you to those who attended and helped raise needed funds for the food pantry and a special thank you to Brewer’s Fork for hosting!
September Schedule
Friday, September 13th.
3pm – Set-up
Saturday, September 14th,
10am – Distribution
Thursday, September 19th,
1pm – Mishawum
Monday, September 23rd,
3pm – Set-up
Tuesday, September 24th,
2pm – Distribution
(new time)
Fundraiser
Sunday, September 29th
12-2pm
Brewer’s Fork,
7 Moulton St.
Charlestown
$50.00 per person
Harvest on Vine August Schedule
Friday, August 9th, 3:00pm – Set-up
Saturday, August 10th, 10:00am – Distribution
Thursday, August 22nd, 1:00pm – Mishawum
Monday, August 26th, 3:00pm – Set-up
Tuesday, August 27th, 6:00pm – Distribution
Every month on the Second Sunday of the month Saint Francis de Sales Parish
conducts our Hungry Sunday Appeal for Charlestown’s Harvest On The Vine Food Pantry.
Thank you for all that you do!
Please donate!
Camp Compassion
Camp Compassion was down at the
Bunker Hill Mall collecting donations
and food donations for our Harvest on
Vine Food Pantry.
We thank Camp Compassion for all of
their efforts on behalf of Harvest on
Vine.
Cereal Drive
Please consider dropping off a box or two of cereal at the
back of the church at the weekend Masses all summer long.
Thank you for all you do.
Harvest on Vine July Schedule
Friday, July 12th, 3:00pm – Set-up
Saturday, July 13th, 10:00am – Distribution
Wednesday, July 17th, 1:00pm – Mishawum
Monday, July 29th, 3:00pm – Set-up
Tuesday, July 30th, 6:00pm – Distribution
Every month on the Second Sunday of the month Saint Francis de Sales Parish
conducts our Hungry Sunday Appeal for Charlestown’s Harvest On The Vine Food Pantry.
Thank you for all that you do!
Cooking Class
On the Juneteenth holiday, Harvest on Vine partnered with the City of Boston’s Office for Food Justice and offered a cooking class to our clients. We made vegetable chili and a tossed salad with homemade dressing. After we prepared the meal, we sat as a community and ate together.
Twenty-five people participated in the cooking process: dicing vegetables, making rice, whisking dressing, cutting lettuce, spicing broth, along with organizing, serving, and cleaning. Twenty-five of us left with full bellies. The next day, Harvest on Vine distributed food to fifty-four families in Mishawum, the highest number to date at that location. Earlier in the month, on Saturday, June 8, we served 204 households at the Vine Street location. Our next distribution is Tuesday, June 25, at 6:00 PM. New volunteers are always welcome.
With gratitude for your support!
Harvest on Vine
Thank you from Harvest on Vine for the donations on Hungry Sunday.
Harvest on Vine June Schedule
Friday, June 7th, 3:00pm – Set-up
Saturday, June 8th, 10:00am – Distribution
Thursday, June 20th, 1:00pm – Mishawum
Monday, June 24th, 3:00pm – Set-up
Tuesday, June 25th, 6:00pm – Distribution
Thank you for all that you do!
Harvest on Vine
May 2024 Calendar
May Schedule
49 Vine Street
Friday May 10th, – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday May 11th, – 10:00 am – Distribution
Friday, May 24th, – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Tuesday, May 28th, – 2:00 pm – Distribution
Mishawum Park
Wednesday, May 22nd, – 1:00 pm – (Dunstable St.)
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
The Oasis Pro client check-in app is now up and running thanks to the efforts of our volunteers and the Greater Boston Food Bank!
Charlestown Catholic Community
Thank you for all that you do!
Harvest on Vine
April 2024 Calendar
April Schedule
49 Vine Street
Friday April 12th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday April 13th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Monday, April 29th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Tuesday, April 30th – 2:00 pm – Distribution
Mishawum Park
Thursday, April 18th – 1:00 pm – (Dunstable St.)
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
The Oasis Pro client check-in app is now up and running thanks to the efforts of our volunteers and the Greater Boston Food Bank!
Charlestown Catholic Community
Thank you for all that you do!
Harvest on Vine
March 2024 Calendar
March Schedule
49 Vine Street
Friday March 8th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday March 9th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Monday, March 25th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Tuesday, March 26th – 2:00 pm – Easter Ham Distribution
Happy Easter!
Mishawum Park
Thursday, March 21st – 1:00 pm – (Dunstable St.)
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
Harvest on Vine Easter Ham Sign-up
As part of the Easter ham sign up, our families will be registering into our new client check-in system, called Oasis Pro, recommended by the Greater Boston Food Bank. Each client will receive a membership card that has a barcode, speeding up the check-in process.
Easter Ham Sign-up Schedule
Charles Newtown Residents,
Charles Newtown Community Room
Monday, March 11th, 11:00am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday, March 12th, 11:00am – 5:00 pm
All other addresses
49 Vine St. basement
Wednesday, March 13th, 11:00am – 5:00 pm
Thursday, March 14th, 1:00om – 7:00 pm
Friday, March 15th, 10:00am – 4:00 pm
If you would like to help with the Easter Ham sign-ups contact Tom at 617 990-7314
Charlestown Catholic Community
Thank you for all that you do!
Happy Easter!
Harvest on Vine
February 2024 Calendar
February Schedule
49 Vine Street
Friday February 9th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday February 10th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Monday, February 26th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Tuesday, February 27th – 2:00 pm – Distribution
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Mishawum Park
Thursday, February 22nd – 1:00 pm – (Dunstable St.)
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
Thank you for braving the freezing, cold weather last Tuesday and for all that you do!
Tom
Charlestown Catholic Community
Harvest on Vine
January 2024 Calendar
Wishing you a blessed and healthy New Year!
January Schedule
49 Vine Street
Friday January 12th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday January 13th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Monday, January 29th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Tuesday, January 30th – 2:00 pm – Distribution
Mishawum Park
Thursday, January 18th – 1:00 pm – (Dunstable St.)
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
Tom
Charlestown Catholic Community
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your tremendous work and generosity at Thanksgiving. We served 557 turkey baskets to our neighbors in Charlestown.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Tom
Harvest on Vine
December 2023 Calendar
49 Vine Street
Friday December 8th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday December 9th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Tuesday, December 26th – 12:30 pm – Set-up
2:00 pm – Distribution
Harvest on Vine
November 2023 Calendar
49 Vine Street
Friday November 10th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday November 11th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Tuesday, November 21st – 11:30 am – Set-up
1:00 pm – Thanksgiving Basket Distribution
Harvest on Vine
October 2023 Calendar
49 Vine Street
Friday October 13th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday October 14th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Monday, October 30th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
*Tuesday, October 31st – 2:00 pm – Distribution
*Note time change for distribution – it is too dark at 6:00pm2:00 pm
Mishawum Park
Thursday, October 19th – 1:00 pm – (Dunstable St.)
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
Thank you and Happy Halloween
Tom
Charlestown Catholic Community
Harvest on Vine
September 2023 Calendar
49 Vine Street
Friday September 8th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday September 9th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Saturday, September 16th Community Cookout 1:00pm!
Monday, September 25th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Tuesday, September 26th – 6:00 pm – Distribution
Mishawum Park
Thursday, September 21st – 1:00 pm – Set-up
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
Thank you for all that you do!
Tom
Charlestown Catholic Community
Harvest on Vine
August 2023 Calendar
49 Vine Street
Friday August 10th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday August 12th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Monday, August 28th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Tuesday, August 29th – 6:00 pm – Distribution
Mishawum Park
Thursday, August 17th – 1:00 pm – Set-up
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
Thank you for all that you do!
Tom
Charlestown Catholic Community
Harvest on Vine
July 2023 Calendar
49 Vine Street
Friday July 7th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday July 8th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Friday, July 21st – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Tuesday, July 25th – 6:00 pm – Distribution
Mishawum Park
Thursday, July 20th – 1:00 pm – Set-up
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
Thank you for all that you do!
Tom
Charlestown Catholic Community
Navy Yard Summer Solstice Celebration
THIS Wednesday, June 21, 2023
5:00 PM to Sunset
Amphitheater in Shipyard Park
Co-Sponsored with Friends of the Charlestown Navy Yard &
Charlestown Mothers Association
Harvest on Vine emergency food pantry will be hosting a table at the summer solstice celebration in the Navy Yard on June 21st. Please stop by and say hello if you are in the area. Harvest on Vine is grateful for your support. Because of your generosity, we have the means to put forth a first-class food pantry, giving each family we serve roughly ten days of groceries. Thank you!
Thank you for all that you do!
Tom
Charlestown Catholic Community
Harvest on Vine
June 2023 getting set up for new distribution procedure . . .
Harvest on Vine
June 2023 Calendar
49 Vine Street
Friday June 9th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday June 10th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Monday, June 26th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Tuesday, June 27th – 6:00 pm – Distribution
Mishawum Park
Thursday, June 22nd – 1:00 pm – Set-up
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
Thank you for all that you do!
Tom
Charlestown Catholic Community
Harvest on Vine
Summer 2023
Summer is coming and school will be out. As in summer past, we are requesting cereal donations for a cereal drive. If you are able to help out, please drop the boxes of cereal off at the Church before or after the Masses. You can also drop off cereal (or other food donations) at the Parish Center office – 46 Winthrop Street or at the Food Pantry on Vine Street.
Thank you.
Tom MacDonald
Social Ministry Director
Harvest on Vine
Update May 2023
The future of Harvest on Vine emergency food pantry looks bright. We received funding to buy an 8’ x 10’ outdoor freezer, which will give us the capacity we need to store plenty of meat, pork, poultry, and fish, as well as frozen fruits and vegetables. Our families prefer these foods, and we will soon have the freezer space to match the need.
Once the freezer is installed, we are building an overhang in the rectory parking lot, similar in size to the canopy we rent for the Thanksgiving distribution. The overhang will provide shelter in the winter and shade in the summer. We started distributing food outside in response to the pandemic. We will continue this practice. It is safer for both the volunteers and the clients. We hope to have the overhang built by the end of the summer.
In the fall we have two events in the works. On Saturday, September 16, we will host a community barbecue, dubbed The Great Urban Cookout. Three hundred people attended last year. We expect a similar number this year. In October we will be holding a fundraising event, celebrating Harvest on Vine’s 20th anniversary. Date to be announced.
Harvest on Vine has partnered with the City of Boston’s Office of Food Justice, whose goal is to end food insecurity in Boston. Members of OFJ attended two of our distributions and made suggestions on how we can better serve our clients. They see food as a way to build community, and they’ve given us ideas on how to make this happen in Charlestown.
Our volunteers continue to do outstanding work. Their compassionate service transforms each distribution into an act of kindness, an act of solidarity with the poor. Last Saturday, forty volunteers gave out six tons of food (ten pallets) to more than a hundred and fifty families. In addition to our core group, we recently had alumni teams from St. Joseph University and Fairfield University, and students from Malden Catholic and B.C. High.
Our benefactors keep us afloat. We are grateful for your financial gifts. The money you donate gives us the means to purchase the food we distribute. Because of your generosity, we are able to give each family 40-50 pounds of food twice a month. We provide milk, fresh produce, eggs, cheese, fish, chicken, pork, meat, and all the dry goods they can carry. Your donations make this possible.
The Greater Boston Food Bank has designated Harvest on Vine an emergency food pantry. For some of our families, the emergency never ends, thus our need for your support never ends.
Summer is coming and school will be out. As in summers past, we are requesting cereal donations for a cereal drive. If you are able to help out, please drop the boxes of cereal off at the Church before or after the Masses. You can also drop off cereal (or other food donations) at the Parish Office—46 Winthrop Street or at the food pantry on Vine Street.
Thank you.
Tom MacDonald
Social Ministry Director
Harvest on Vine
May 2023 Calendar
49 Vine Street
Friday May 12th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday May 13th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Friday, May 26th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Memorial Day Weekend!
We remember those who gave their lives serving our country
Tuesday, May 30th – 2:00 pm – Distribution
Mishawum Park
Thursday, May 18th – 1:00 pm – Set-up
(Mishawum Park staff handles the set-up and distribution with HoV.)
Thank you for all that you do!
Tom
Charlestown Catholic Community
Harvest on Vine
April 2023 Schedule
49 Vine Street
Thursday (not Good Friday) April 6th – 3:30 pm – Set-up
Saturday April 8th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Monday, April 24th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Tuesday, April 25th – 2:00 pm – Distribution
Mishawum Park
Wednesday, April 19th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Tuesday, April 25th – 1:00 pm – Distribution
(Tom works with the Mishawum Park staff to distribute food.)
Thank you!
Tom
Happy Easter from all of us at
Charlestown Catholic Community
Harvest on Vine
March 2023 Schedule
Friday Mar. 10th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Saturday Mar. 11th – 10:00 am – Distribution
Monday Mar. 27th – 3:00 pm – Set-up
Tuesday Mar. 28th – 2:00 pm – Distribution
Thank you!
Tom
Needs List
Some photos from our early December distribution
Harvest on Vine serves over 300 food insecure families in Charlestown and the surrounding area twice a month. However at Thanksgiving, our support doubles to upwards of 600 families.