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Page 8 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2026 Revere students achieve Bishop Fenwick’s Honor Roll B A volunteer at the Revere Veterans Food Pantry is shown handing a bag of groceries to a needy recipient at the American Legion Building recently. Revere Veterans Food Pantry sees a rise in need By Shawna James very fi rst Wednesday of the month, residents drive to the back of the American Legion building in Revere to receive their share of canned vegetables, pasta, rice and meat from the Veterans Food Pantry. That was no different on a recent day — except a steady incline of need in the line. “[The need] has steadily increased in the last couple of months,” said Donna Dreeszen, the pantry’s founder, in an interview. “We have a lot of younger veterans that we typically didn’t have before.” Dreeszen started the pantry on an upstairs fl oor of the American Legion building in 2012 with just 37 clients; today that number is nearly 500, she said. Food insecurity among veterans has become a pressing issue since the global pandemic and the government shutdown in the fall. More than 21,000 recipients of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Massachusetts are veterans, according to the state’s website. Dreeszen said she founded the pantry after seeing many veterans struggle with food insecurity. But when the pantry fi rst opened, few people came. She said she worked hard to persuade veterans to take advantage of the service. “I would ask the veterans, ‘Why didn’t you come to the food pantry?’ and they were like, ‘I don’t need it,’ even though some did,” said Dreeszen recently as she pored over a spreadsheet of the pantry’s statistics. Eventually, she said, the veterE ans began to come. Danny Hernandez, the pantry’s manager, said he and his staff began using targeted advertising to reach veterans, and the results have led to an increase in the number of people using the pantry. On the eve of the monthly food pantry, Hernandez, the staff and volunteers start preparing for distribution day. This includes designating specific areas to sort the food. The next day, volunteers arrive early, around 6 a.m., to receive deliveries from The Greater Boston Food Bank and stock large shopping bags provided by Wegmans. The pantry also receives fresh greens and other produce from Olivia’s Organics in Chelsea, said Dreeszen. Volunteers say they are driven to help. “It was only natural to be able to volunteer and give back,’’ said Carol Pizziferri, a volunteer for the past 10 years whose father served in World War II. She said that when the pantry was upstairs it was challenging for both volunteers and clients to get the bags to their cars. But now, the drive-up system has made things much better, especially for the elderly clients, she added. “It’s much easier than waiting for people, especially upstairs,” said Pizziferri. “And so now… basically, [you] come in your car, [we] put the bags in, and they check you off and see you later.” William Reedy, a volunteer who is also a veteran, said the pantry does what it can for the people it serves. “We all help one another,” Reedy said. “[If] anybody needs anything, they can always call us.” ishop Fenwick High School has announced its second quarter honor roll, recognizing students who demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. The honor roll is determined by calculating the unweighted grade point average across all major courses, with students earning distinction at three levels: President’s List (3.90 GPA or higher with no grade below A-), Principal’s List (3.50 GPA or higher) and Dean’s List (3.00 GPA or higher). Students receiving any failing grade, a grade below B- or an incomplete are ineligible for honor roll recognition, making these achievements particularly noteworthy. Among those earning top honors, four students from Revere were represented, showcasing the dedication and academic excellence of local scholars. Kaylee Sjursen Brianna Delaney Cori McMeniman Danielle Nalesnik Kaylee Sjursen, ’27 — President’s List Brianna Delaney, ’26 — Principal’s List Cori McMeniman, ’27 —Principal’s List Danielle Nalesnik, ’26 — Dean’s List MBTA Gears Up for South Boston’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Celebration with Increased Service, Staff, and Safety Measures B OSTON — The MBTA is preparing for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and festivities in South Boston on Sunday, March 15, 2026. With nearly a million people expected to attend the parade, the MBTA is implementing several measures to accommodate the increased ridership and to remind the riding public what everyone can do to help maintain a safe and family-friendly environment. Riders are encouraged to check out the MBTA’s St. Patrick’s Day Guide for information on taking the T to the parade, how to pay fares, and more at mbta.com/StPatricksDay. “The MBTA takes great pride as we continue to improve daily service for the public to use 365 days a year and to ensure everyone can participate and enjoy special events like St. Patrick’s Day festivities. The safety of our riders and employees is always at the core of everything we do as we strive to make transit the preferred choice of travel,” said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “Public transit allows everyone alternative ways to safely travel and celebrate responsibly, and I’m grateful for our dedicated workforce who ensures riders get to their destinations every day. Leave the driving to us and use caution when traversing the system as we all celebrate St. Patrick’s Day together.” Additional Service and Bus Route Detours To manage anticipated peak ridership and minimize platform congestion, the MBTA will strategically position additional personnel throughout the system to manage crowding, assist with passenger fl ow, and ensure a safe environment. The MBTA encourages all riders to be mindful while using escalators and navigating stairs during periods of heavy foot traffi c. Service information is available at MBTA.com/StPatricksDay. • Shuttle Bus: The MBTA will provide free shuttle bus service from South Station to South Boston between 9:30 AM and 5 PM on the day of the parade. • Red Line: The Red Line will operate rush hour service from 10 AM to 6 PM. Trains may bypass Broadway during certain times due to heavy crowds. PARADE | SEE Page 9

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