The Phoenix Food Hub is a collaborative project spearheaded by Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS) as part of the Lynn Food Policy Council. It involves many organizations across the region and brings together as many nutrition-related supports as possible. The Phoenix Food Hub serves people of all ages with nutrition needs in and around the Lynn area. The Phoenix Food Hub is a one-stop shop where individuals and families at risk of nutrition insufficiency can access a variety of resources to help them better manage their overall health and well-being.
This innovative Food Hub model is designed to address both the immediate needs that might bring people into the food pantry part of the Hub, for example, and providing them, while they are on-site, with a range of other nutrition and related services which may be required to truly eliminate nutrition deficiencies.
There were really two currents intersecting in ways that made a Food Hub for Lynn seem like an excellent solution to a critical community need. First, GLSS has always been aware of food insecurity needs relative to its own consumers and has operated Meals on Wheels and congregate meal sites throughout its catchment area for many years. The pandemic, of course, intensely exacerbated this issue. Discussions with the Lynn Food Policy Council (formerly known as the Lynn Food Security Task Force) made clear that together—as many organizations collaborating—we could strengthen our capacities to effectively reach more at-risk individuals and deliver more comprehensive nutrition supports.
At the same time, GLSS was considering how it was going to repurpose the very large first floor space in its 8 Silsbee Street office that had previously housed the Lynn Senior Center. Using that space to support a different kind of Center—one that focused on the nutrition needs of all Lynn residents—resonated as an excellent solution both within GLSS as well as with the Lynn Food Policy Council. Having a space large enough to provide food distribution; screening, education and counseling; other vital nutrition supports; as well as wrap-around services—all delivered as a result of great partnering across multiple organizations—is an exciting solution to a hugely important problem.
Key partners of the Phoenix Food Hub include organizations comprising the Lynn Food Policy Council:
Subcommittee Members:
Phoenix Food Hub is funded by:
Additional support for Phoenix Food Hub comes from many private individuals and organizations.
The Mass General Brigham grant will provide 5 years of support to the Phoenix Food Hub collaboration, including substantial funding to renovate the space, ensuring its full accessibility and capacities to offer a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen.
GLSS and the Lynn Food Policy Council will continue to seek funding to ensure the Phoenix project can develop and maintain critical communications and database infrastructures (to demonstrate program impact), ensure appropriate staffing to fully deliver programs that meet the needs of all residents, and maintain the facility as well as secure and maintain necessary equipment (e.g., freezers, mobile refrigerated vans, stove, etc.).
GLSS is an equal opportunity employer.
Phone-in hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Walk-in hours: Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Phoenix Food Hub is located at: 8 Silsbee Street, Lynn, MA 01901
Phone: 781-599-0110 Email: phoenix@glss.net
The Phoenix Food Hub space is wheelchair accessible through the ramp on the Ellis Street side of the building and can be used by anyone who needs it for all Phoenix Food Hub events and programs.
Phoenix Food Hub welcomes other organizations to host their events in our 1st floor space.
Please fill out the Phoenix Space Registration Form
For general inquiries about using the Phoenix space, please send an email to phoenix@glss.net and include Attn: Marilyn Long in the subject line.