The Amazing Women of the Melrose Little Free Food Pantries
Written and Photographed by Nancy Clover
Pictured: Laura Lemmons, Jen Parziale, Kim Quan, Jenny Rose, Kara Ammon, and Maureen Buzby
Additional Members: Angela Patch, Karen Rivera, Jessica Buster, Kristina Gillis, Sarah Hecklaw, Jana Gimenez, First Baptist Church
Not all angels have wings. Some carry grocery bags, organize shelves in the cold, and respond to late-night group texts about whether the pantry on Derby Street needs soup, cereal, or shelf-stable milk.
Meet the incredible women behind the Melrose Free Little Food Pantries — a loosely knit, deeply committed group who quietly ensure that no neighbor goes without.
When SNAP benefits were reduced, two of Melrose’s Little Free Libraries lovingly pivoted into food pantries — because when the need grows, this community responds. Through a simple group chat, these women monitor all four pantry locations across the city, sharing updates in real time so they can quickly adjust and fill what’s needed, where it’s needed most.
They don’t do it for recognition. They do it because hunger doesn’t take a day off.
They created an Amazon Wish List and porch drop-off option to make giving simple and accessible.
When donations arrive, Jen Parziale opens her garage — transforming it into a distribution hub where items are sorted and shared among the pantry sites.
Their philosophy is beautifully simple: Do what you can.
One can. One box. One order. It all matters.
Jen shared a quote that captures the heart of their mission:
“If you cannot feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” — Mother Teresa
She reflects, “If every city and town committed to feeding just one — or a few — collectively we could feed hundreds, maybe thousands.”
This is exactly what we’re seeing here in Melrose.
This shows what’s possible when a community decides to act.
Support also comes from others in the community — including Tammy from the Melrose Veterans Services Office, who often delivers extra food from the Veterans Food Mart.
The needs are ongoing and growing. Most requested items include:
- Shelf-stable milk
- Soup
- Snacks
- Juice and drinks
- Low-sodium, low-sugar, and gluten-free foods
- Laundry detergent
- Pet food
- Feminine hygiene products
- Soap and shampoo
At this time, only non-perishable items can be accepted, but the group hopes to add a community refrigerator in the future to expand what they can offer.
Food insecurity is closer than we often realize. For some families, these small wooden pantries mean the difference between stress and relief. They are filled not just with food, but with dignity, compassion, and quiet solidarity.
These women want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who donates, shares posts, hosts drives, or spreads the word. They truly could not do this without the support of the Melrose community.
How You Can Help:
- Order from their Amazon Wish List (even a few items make a difference)
- Pick up extra non-perishable items when you grocery shop and drop them directly at any pantry location.
- Interested in hosting a pantry site? Contact Jen Parziale.
- Continue learning about food insecurity and share available resources.
The Melrose Free Little Food Pantries are more than small boxes filled with food. They are proof that compassion multiplies. That one act inspires another. That when neighbors decide to show up for each other, real change happens.
And when an entire community chooses to feed one — we feed many.
