FCC In the News
How a pandemic-era food response has become an enduring lifeline for local residents
On a cold Wednesday afternoon in early February, dozens of residents lined up in Symphony Community Park in Fenway, waiting for their biweekly box of fresh produce. A small group of volunteers braved the cold to pack and distribute broccoli and PPE to residents.
What started as a short-term emergency response distributing 50 boxes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to expand. Fenway Cares, a collaboration between multiple local Fenway organizations, now provides around 400 boxes of free fresh produce biweekly to Fenway residents who are confronting the same food insecurity that affects communities across Boston.
Amid area development, Fenway Free Market connects neighbors
Boston residents gather monthly at the Fenway Community Center (FCC) to exchange clothing, toys and household items at the Free Market, an event designed to reduce waste and build community.
The market is unique in that residents drop off unwanted items and take whatever they find useful, all free of charge.
Read the rest of this article from the Beacon Hill Times here
FREQUENCIES: Fenway
The Fenway Community Center was proud to be one of the presenting organization, alongside The Fenway Alliance, of FREQUENCIES: Fenway created by Maria Finkelmeier and Allison Tanenhaus and produced by MF Dynamics. This event series was funded in part by City of Boston Mayor’s Office for Arts & Culture and City of Boston Planning & Development Agency with support from EPSON.
Locations included:
Or Check Out the Full Recap Video Here
Videos by Keira Cronin
Photo credit: Cesar Ziegler, CEXARMEDIA; IG: @cexarphoto
More photos can be found on the Fenway Alliance’s website, here
‘LOVE THE FENWAY’ PUTS FOCUS ON FOOD AND FUN
Dozens of fans of the Fenway Community Center turned out for its annual Love The Fenway party on Sept. 25. The multigenerational crowd spent the evening socializing, enjoying food from Mida, listening (and dancing) to live music, and dropping some cash on raffle tickets and a silent auction. The Center presented its annual Community Spirit award to West Fens resident Leslie Pond.
Love The Fenway raises over $30k for the Fenway Community Center
On September 26, 2024, the Fenway Community Center celebrated the Center and the neighborhood at our annual fundraiser, Love The Fenway. With the support of presenting sponsors (Red Sox, Red Sox Foundation, & WS Development), donors, and attendees, we were thrilled to raise over $30k in support of the Center.
Attendees danced to tunes played by Midnight Motion, enjoyed delicious food and drink from Above & Beyond Catering, and heard from elected officials (Senator Brownsberger, Representative Livingstone, Representative Ryan, Councilor Durkan, and Mayor’s Liaison Maccon Bonner) about their support of the Center. While Mayor Wu could not make it, we appreciated her message (video on the left)!
Photographer Annielly Camargo captured wonderful photos! See the full album here.
New Group, Fenway Cares, Forms to Meet Virus Crisis
Moving at lighting speed to respond to the coronavirus emergency, six neighborhood organizations have agreed to form a “hyperlocal” mutual aid network and information clearinghouse in the Fenway.
Within a week, Fenway Cares completed its first project, working with District 8 City Councilor Kenzie Bok to get more than 300 boxes of fresh produce distributed to households across the neighborhood.
Read the rest of this article in the April 2020 Fenway News here
Fenway Cares Reminds Us: Pulling Together Matters
Testimonials don’t come any better than this: I was losing hope yesterday as I lost my job due to this pandemic. I was told I didn’t qualify for food stamps due to my past income [from] working as a medical PCA.
Just hearing the words from someone I don’t know in my community, just really made me feel better. I explained to her how I’m having a hard time now with not being able to afford food or rent until I start working again. She assured me to let me know [that] she has resources to help.
Read the rest of this article in the April 2020 Fenway News here