Our Story
Our Vision
VISION
Arlington EATS envisions an engaged and active community in which everyone has access to sufficient and nutritious food and understands the causes and effects of food insecurity.
Mission
Arlington EATS’ MISSION is to engage the community in eliminating food insecurity and hunger in Arlington.
Values
JUST Compassionate Connected Respectful
Timeline
The Arlington Food Pantry started in 1991, during the first Iraqi War, when a group of individuals from the Town, churches, and community feared that necessities, like fuel and food, may be rationed. After an initial food drive, the group realized that hunger was an ongoing issue in Arlington and the food pantry became a monthly service and was located in the basement of Church of Our Saviour in East Arlington for 26 years.
In 2014, a group of churches, nonprofits, and the Town met to discuss food needs in Arlington. Out of that discussion the food pantry hired its first staff member and opened a second site at 117 Broadway with more frequent and improved accessibility. Another outcome of the discussion was a group of parents and school staff formed the original Arlington EATS and started a summer lunch program for families who rely on school meals to keep their kids fed. The program eventually added a snack program at all the Arlington public schools and a monthly community dinner.
In 2017, Arlington EATS and the Arlington Food Pantry merged to accomplish one incredible mission, to engage the community in eliminating food insecurity and hunger in Arlington.
In 2019, the Arlington EATS Market temporarily moved to St. John’s Church, 74 Pleasant St, while the building on Broadway was demolished and reconstructed by the property owner, Housing Corporation of Arlington. This four story building will provide needed affordable housing units and the first floor will become the EATS headquarters.
In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Arlington EATS led a coalition of local agencies to respond to the need. For the health and safety of our community, EATS suspended in person programs and launched a home delivery program to ensure that all Arlington residents had access to nutritious and sufficient food.
A long awaited dream was realized as Arlington EATS opened its first permanent facility at 117 Broadway in November.
Today Arlington EATS has eight programs to serve our neighbors. Each week Arlington EATS distributes over 15,000 pounds of food to 450 households.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority #1
PROGRAMS
Distribute nutritious food to people in need
OBJECTIVE #1: Increase access to food for Arlington residents who are food insecure
OBJECTIVE #2: Promote a culture of continuous improvement that requires programmatic decision-making to be based on data and core values
Strategic Priority #2
VOLUNTEERS
Engage volunteers who contribute a diverse range of skills, experience and knowledge
OBJECTIVE #1: Leverage the volunteer assets that are already part of Arlington EATS and attract a continuous cycle of new volunteers
OBJECTIVE #2: Provide opportunities for community members to contribute to solving the problem of food insecurity
Strategic Priority #3
ENGAGEMENT
Engage the Arlington community broadly in education and efforts to reduce hunger and economic inequality
OBJECTIVE #1: Increase visibility of how poverty and social injustice contribute to food insecurity
OBJECTIVE #2: Provide town-wide leadership on the implications that local, state and national policies and socioeconomic disparities have on residents facing food insecurity
Strategic Priority #4
OPERATIONS
Ensure Arlington EATS’ organizational health and sustainability
OBJECTIVE #1: Diversify and grow revenue streams, including foundation grants and individual gifts
OBJECTIVE #2: Ensure the new space is designed to meet the current and future needs of Arlington EATS
OBJECTIVE #3: Continue to develop a supportive and stimulating work environment in order to attract and retain competent and dedicated staff members
Virtual Tour
We are grateful to the many supporters who made this space possible!
Please take a tour to see what you can expect when you visit Arlington EATS.
Our Impact - Fiscal Year 2024
Our Programs
Arlington EATS operates a wide range of programs to advance its mission. Through these initiatives, we offer healthy food with dignity and compassion for those going through challenging times. We actively partner with schools and other nonprofit organizations as we understand the value of working together to create a greater impact for our community.
EATS distributed 900,000 pounds of food which equals 750,000 meals
The Market & Home Delivery
465 visits/week
32% increase over FY23
School Vacation Lunch
394 visits
6,200 meals
Snacks
10 schools
48,000 snacks
Fresh Bucks
406 households
41% do not use other EATS programs
Arlington Farmers’ Market
Successful transition
More awareness
Partnership Program
$19,650 to 6 agencies
Emergency Food Closets
6 sites
3,100 pounds of food
Our Community: Rising Food Insecurity Needs
Arlington EATS has seen a dramatic increase in need for its services since the pandemic. We have more than doubled the number of individuals we serve since 2020 which has been reflected in the amount of food we have distributed to the community.
According to data from the Greater Boston Food Bank, 1 in 5 Arlington residents are at risk of being food insecure, a dramatic increase from previous years. Currently EATS serves 30% of the nee in Arlington.
With persistent economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures, we anticipate the need for our services will continue to increase. Our goal remains to ensure every Arlington resident has access to sufficient and nutritious foods.
Our Impact in FY24
3,020 individuals benefited from EATS’ programs last year
EATS provides a family approximately $4,000 worth of food each year
EATS distributed approx. 900,000 lbs of food or 750,000 meals
It takes 150 volunteer shifts/week to run Arlington EATS
Our Gratitude
Arlington EATS thanks its supporters, volunteers and community members.
Your investment and trust in our mission is critical to our efforts and success.
Volunteer or Donate
Arlington EATS relies upon people like you to ensure there is food for all Arlington residents.
117 Broadway
Arlington, MA
117 Broadway
Suite A
Arlington, MA 02474