Long before its 3:30 p.m. start time, a line begins to form at Symphony Park in the Fenway as the crowd waits in the cold for the Fenway Cares food distribution to begin.
The program has become essential for many people struggling with rising costs, said Fenway Cares organizers.
“I come here because it's free food and with grocery prices so high, that kind of resource is always needed, especially being a student,” said Boston University student Mebelyn Ureña.
Fenway Cares is led by a coalition of six neighborhood groups. Each partner contributes to coordination, volunteer support, outreach and operations, according to the Fenway Community Center.
Since 2020, the group has distributed more than 10,000 bags of fresh produce annually with the support of volunteers, local partnerships and state grant funding, according to the Fenway Community Center. What began as a COVID-19 response effort, has grown into a long‑standing collaboration serving thousands of neighbors each year.
“What we thought was a short-term project quickly revealed that food insecurity had been in the community all along, and our work has continued to address food support for residents since then,” said Marie Fukuda, a Community Advocate for the Fenway Civic Association.
Today, the volunteer-run program distributes free bags of produce every other Wednesday at two locations: the Fenway Community Center in West Fenway and Symphony Community Park in East Fenway. It also offers free neighborhood deliveries.
Fenway Cares currently distributes approximately 415 boxes of fresh food per week, according to Fukuda.
Volunteers remain the backbone of the operation, supporting setup, distribution and home deliveries for residents unable to attend in person, Fukuda said.
“We have been incredibly fortunate to have a committed group of volunteers and community supporters,” Fukuda said. “Many have been with us for years.”
Relationships formed at the distribution sites have become one of the most meaningful indicators of the program’s impact, Fukuda said.
Rose Miller, a junior at Northeastern University, began volunteering with Fenway Cares through their service fraternity and has continued to do so.
“I really enjoy coming out here in the community and getting to see new faces and meet new people,” said Miller. “You always meet interesting people here, there is always a story.”
Relationships formed at the distribution sites have become one of the most meaningful indicators of the program’s impact, Fukuda said.
And for the people who stand in line for groceries, the program is a lifeline.
“Living in this city is so expensive,” Ureña said. “I have been coming here for about a half a year, and it's a big help.”
This story is part of a partnership between The Independent Newspaper Group and Boston University Department of Journalism’s Newsroom program.