Back Bay Mission Shows What ‘Good Trouble’ Looks Like

On Monday, Jan. 6, Back Bay Mission worked to combat community hunger through a Mobile Food Pantry benefiting its neighbors in Biloxi, Miss.

Despite the biting wind and freezing temperatures, Back Bay’s team of staff and volunteers bundled up, braved the weather, and got to work.

With helping hands from mission groups all the way from Indiana and Connecticut, the team tackled 11 pallets of food donated by Feeding the Gulf Coast and Rouses Market. Team members sorted fresh produce, canned goods, and pantry staples — essentials that would mean the world to the 176 families Back Bay Mission served that day.

“Back Bay decided to start the Mobile Pantry as a way to get more food out to the community,” said Carlin Duncan, Back Bay Mission’s emergency assistant food pantry coordinator. “Coming off of the holidays is a tricky time for everyone. And we figured this was one way we could help struggling parents bounce back after having kids home from school for three weeks.”

The goal, said Duncan, is the make the program bigger and better as the years pass. 

This was the first Mobile Food Pantry delivery, Carlin added. “The Mobile Food Pantry has to be scheduled in advance, but can be delivered to a location you request,” he said. And the families received a bounty. “We loaded them down with fresh fruits, milk, fresh veggies, meats, oatmeal and much more.

Back Bay Mission believes that no one should face hunger alone. Events like this Mobile Food Bank remind everyone of the incredible power of community — when we come together, we can do so much more than share a meal. We share compassion, dignity, and a belief in better days ahead.

The first Mobile Food Pantry was made possible by Back Bay staff, volunteers from First Church of Christ Congregational UCC in Gastonbury, Conn., and such partners as Feeding the Gulf Coast and Coastal Family Health.