Who We Are
Belmont Helps works to alleviate food insecurity in the local community and respond to the pressing needs of our neighbors. In addition to helping families with food support, Belmont Helps also serves the community in other ways. We have collected household goods and furniture on behalf of families in need, provided support for refugee families new to town and helped clients find additional assistance for childcare, food, housing and utility support.
Belmont Helps was founded in March 2020 by Belmont residents Amy Kirsch and Shana Wang to coordinate volunteers to help neighbors with pandemic-related needs. With an outpouring of support from volunteers, Belmont Helps provided hundreds of masks and meals in the first several months of the pandemic. Belmont Helps volunteers continue to support the local community in numerous ways.
Our mission is to provide compassionate help to neighbors in need so that all Belmont residents feel supported during struggles that arise in their lives. We believe that supporting vulnerable community members helps to create a healthier, stronger and more caring community.
Our Initiatives
Belmont Helps initiatives: homemade mask drive; meals for people in need; grocery donations; snack drives for Mount Auburn Hospital staff; phone buddies for isolated residents; supplies for residents who had to evacuate a Trapelo Road high-rise building; restaurant months to encourage people to support our local food businesses; household good drive for Afghan refugees resettling in Belmont; a shoe drive; weekly produce box deliveries; and Belmont Food Pantry deliveries.
Impact
“I am so moved by the tremendous heart in Belmont Helps. It has meant the world to me for families coming to my door to deliver food to me, writing cards, and keeping me company with friendly calls.”
“We do not have any friends or family nearby and I'm the sole caregiver. Belmont Helps has been our lifeline. We are truly grateful and blessed to have your support.”
Volunteer Leadership
Amy Kirsch, Co-founder and Co-Chair
Shana Wang, Co-founder and Co-Chair
Becky Berk, Client Services Director
Abigail Klingbeil, Communications Manager and Client Services Director
Martha Loftus, Client Services Director
Jennifer Muñoz, Client Services Director
Fiona McCubbin, Belmont Helps Treasurer and Snack Drive Coordinator
Anne Lougee, Belmont Food Collaborative Treasurer
Sue Garland, Produce Box Delivery Coordinator
Andy Pollock, Produce Box Delivery Coordinator
John Kaliski, Restaurant Initiatives Coordinator
Wendy Conroy, Snack Drive Coordinator
Lynn Hamer, Graphic Designer
April Edrington, Grants
Prassede Vella, Grants
Tamy Tiongson, Social Media Coordinator
Joshua Lee, Webmaster
Thank you to our…
Volunteers
Belmont Helps is a volunteer-driven organization. Hundreds of Belmont residents have contributed money, meals, household goods, handmade masks, legal services, time and much more to help support neighbors in need.
Partners
Belmont Helps collaborates with numerous agencies and organizations, including Belmont Public Schools, the Belmont Food Pantry and the Council on Aging. We appreciate their partnership in assisting people in need.