Club Supports the Ludlow Veterans Food Pantry with Cash and Food Donations
The Ludlow Rotary Club was pleased to welcome Eric Segundo, Director of the Ludlow Veterans Center, as a guest speaker at a recent meeting. Eric gave members an eye-opening look at the scope of food insecurity facing local veterans and their families, and at the remarkable work being done right here in Ludlow to meet that need.
The numbers Eric shared were striking. From January through August 2026, the Ludlow Veterans Food Pantry distributed 112,000 pounds of food, serving 1,800 households. Put in dollar terms, that represents roughly $484,000 worth of food returned to our community in just eight months.
Even more impressive, all of this happens in a single day each week. Every Thursday, the pantry runs a Pantry Express from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., followed by regular pantry hours from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In that one day, the pantry moves between 10,000 and 12,000 pounds of food. It is a tremendous effort, and it reflects the Veterans Center's commitment to serving those who served.
To support this mission, the Ludlow Rotary Club presented Eric with a check for $300.00, along with several bags and boxes of canned food donated by our members. Thank you to every Rotarian who contributed, and thank you to Eric and his team for the care and dedication they bring to Ludlow's veterans every week.
How You Can Help
The pantry relies on community generosity and welcomes donations of non-perishable, unopened, and unexpired food, including canned soups, stews, and chili; canned chicken, tuna, and ham; pasta, pasta sauce, and rice; cereal; crackers; and breakfast bars. New, unopened personal care items are also appreciated. Monetary donations can be made payable to Ludlow Veterans and mailed to 487 Holyoke Street, Ludlow, MA 01056.
Veterans or families in need of assistance can call the Veterans Department at 413-707-5050 or visit ludlowveterans.us/veterans-food-pantry for more information.