Services offered through the agency’s Food Pantry include distribution of nutritionally appropriate food to over six hundred individuals per month.

Recognizing that the need for emergency food is a symptom of a larger problem, MCSI also provides Direct Services by offering information and referral, crisis intervention, client support and advocacy.

Considering that many individuals who access these programs, may be entering a new life stage, as new parents, single parent households, or newcomers to the community, a special section within the Food Pantry offers consumers access to clothing and small household items. Larger furniture is made available to individuals and families by posting it’s availability on a bulletin board. A “Career Section” maintains clothing and equipment (purses, briefcases, etc.) appropriate for interviews and other special occasions.

A specialized children’s program, funded by a Small Cities Grant through the Community Development Program, also within the Food Pantry location, was initially established to address the special needs of young parents and single parent households in the Greater Marlborough area. Besides storing and distributing baby food, formula, disposable diapers, toys and clothing for infants and children, this program also provides, maternity clothing, car seats, high chairs, cribs and other infant-related equipment.

As part of the Direct Services component of the agency, when it is indicated, MCSI staff and trained volunteers review qualified consumer’s

• individual employment status
• living conditions
• and day care situations with individuals and families

so that if there is a chance for improvement, clients are made aware of the available opportunities and are supported through any changes. This program provides access to a full range of human services to residents in the Marlborough area. Serving as an educational and supportive advisory center for consumers, our continued mission is to assist families and individuals in becoming self-sufficient, contributing community members.

MCSI also offers Marlborough and the Metrowest community comprehensive Interpreter/Translation and Cultural Sensitivity training programs on a “fee for services basis”, for and about the predominantly spoken languages and diverse cultures in the community. Twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, on-call interpreters provide facilitation to the hospital, local police, fire departments and other employers and providers. This is a revenue-producing program for the agency, designed to help support agency initiatives.

Special Initiatives

It is the philosophy of MCSI that if students feel positive and confident on the first day of school, that may be just the impetus that they need to have a positive academic experience for the rest of the year. The Back to School Project benefiting more than 400 students per year provides brand new backpacks filled with school supplies and first day of school outfits for our “pantry kids” and any other students referred to the program by school nurses, counselors and the city’s Human Services Department. Our major partners in this program include Fidelity, Saint Mary’s Credit Union, Intel, local churches and many individual sponsors.

The Birthday Smiles Program, made possible by Smiling Kids Inc. is another partnership that provides a $35.00 gift card to Target to “pantry kids” on their birthdays. During the past year this unique project generated approximately 350 smiles in just Marlborough!