Deaconess Bessie Carty
Carty Cupboard Food Assistance Program
Nancy Spencer, Director
Mondays 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Wednesdays 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Fridays 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon
This food pantry is named in memory of Deaconess Bessie Carty, a beloved woman of Wesley Church. Deaconess Carty spent 50 years of her life, between 1905 and the time of her retirement in 1955, providing faithful and compassionate Christian service to her church and local community by helping to uplift and give comfort to people who fell on hard times. Her years of service spanned two World Wars and a nationwide economic depression. She was concerned about helping people in many different ways, but was most particularly passionate with insuring people were not hungry.
Today, the focus of Deaconess Carty’s legacy is very simple and direct:
Carty Cupboard helps to feed hungry people.
The program strives to provide a three-day food supplement for hungry individuals and families who find themselves in need. This offering is made available to anyone seeking assistance regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, religious affiliation, or personal circumstance. Cupboard visitors are kept confidential in a computer database and are allowed to pick-up food once each month. Over 20 Cupboard volunteers work to provide food distribution 52 weeks a year.
Food Selection
The food selection has been chosen to be nutritionally balanced and easy to prepare and serve. Food bags are packed to accommodate the needs of households with one person and families with four or more people.
Essential food items:
- peanut butter
- tuna fish
- canned vegetables
- macaroni & cheese
- ready-to-eat soups
- rice
- jelly
- meal-in-a-can
- canned fruits
- spaghetti & sauce
- cereal
Assorted baby items are available for Cupboard visitors with young infants.
Obtaining the Food
Many tons of food are purchased and collected from donations and the Worcester County Food Bank throughout the year. All food items are delivered to the Cupboard’s pantry area at Wesley Church and are then packed into individual bags in preparation for distribution. About 100 food bags are packed each week.
The Cupboard makes extensive use of local providers of low cost and free food. Volunteers make weekly pick-ups of food from the Worcester County Food Bank. Free bread and other bakery products are donated weekly from the Big-Y and the Price Chopper. We are fortunate for also receiving generous amounts of donated food from Trinity Lutheran Church, Epworth United Methodist Church, First Congregational Church of Worcester, First Unitarian Church of Worcester, and First Baptist Church of Worcester.
How can you help?
The Carty Cupboard depends on a consistent source of funds and donated food items in order to continue to be able to meet the growing level of need in the Worcester region.
The Cupboard provides an opportunity for you to make a real difference in someone’s life. You can help in any of the following ways:
- Make a tax deductible cash donation directly to the Wesley United Methodist Church with Carty Cupboard on the memo line. A gift to the Carty Cupboard helps to purchase bulk food items weekly.
- Make a donation of specified food items. You can also organize a food drive through your place of work, school, church, or community organization.
- Volunteer your time and join the active volunteer staff of the Carty Cupboard. We welcome new people who are able to offer help with the many different tasks associated with the weekly operation of this program (from picking up food to helping set up or working on the computer). To volunteer your time please contact the church office at 508-799-4191.