Did you know 1 in 13 children have a food allergy? According to the CDC, food allergy
prevalence among children increased 50% between 1997 and 2011. These statistics highlight just
how much things have changed since many of us were children!
Many families on the South Shore manage food allergies; SAFE wants you to know you are not
alone! SAFE is a support group whose mission is to connect caregivers and to increase food
allergy awareness and education on the South Shore.
Shortly after her child experienced an anaphylactic allergic reaction from milk, Meghan Neri, a
Scituate mom, set out to find a local support group. Sadly, she was unable to find one.
About a year later, she and another Scituate mom connected at a birthday party. These two
moms, each armed with safe cupcakes for their children, quickly bonded and realized there were
probably others in the community who could benefit from local support. They envisioned a place
to share experiences, ask questions, and meet others with similar challenges and successes.
From that vision, SAFE was born in November 2016 – first as a Facebook group, then with in-
person support group meetings that kicked off in January 2017. Since then, the group has
consistently held in-person meetings, organized events, and utilized social media to share
information and resources.
In 2020 Hingham food allergy mom, Lauren White, joined Meghan to co-lead the group. The
transition to virtual meetings due to COVID-19 has allowed SAFE to further its reach. “It has
been amazing to see caregivers from Plymouth to Wakefield join virtual events that otherwise
would have been nearly impossible to attend,” said Meghan.
Many SAFE events focus on education and awareness efforts in the community for those who
manage food allergies as well as those who do not. Support group meetings are a much-needed
opportunity for connection. Whether individuals choose to share their story, ask questions, or just
listen, we can all learn from and support one another.
We would love to have you join one of our meetings!
Check out our Facebook group: South Shore Allergy Families Educating (SAFE) | Facebook or
visit our website: Home | South Shore of MA | South Shore Allergy Families Educating for more
details.
This fall SAFE is offering a series of three free, virtual workshops led by Licensed Clinical
Social Worker Lisa Rosenberg, M.Ed., MSW, LCSW, CSSW. This series is intended to educate members about the behavioral health aspects of food allergies. Register today as space is limited.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Tues, Sept 21, 7:30-8:30 pm ET via Zoom
Join us as we learn more about how to manage the anxiety that can come with food allergies.
To Register: FOOD FOR THOUGHT Tickets, Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite
GET SCHOOLED: Thurs, Oct 21, 7:30-8:30 pm ET via Zoom
Join us to better understand the psycho/social impact of food allergies in school and ways to
promote inclusion.
To Register: GET SCHOOLED Tickets, Thu, Oct 21, 2021 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite
FAMILY TIES: Wed, Nov 17, 7:30-8:30 pm ET via Zoom
Join us to learn more about the impact of food allergies on family relationships
To Register: FAMILY TIES Tickets, Wed, Nov 17, 2021 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite
