Gluten-free food. For many people it’s nothing but a passing fad. It’s just the newest way to stay healthy in a never-ending stream of cultural health crazes. On the other hand, for some people, eating gluten-free is a necessity if they have disorders like celiac disease, which affects the immune system, or gluten intolerance.

Eating gluten-free can be expensive. Very expensive. Junior Simon Clark is helping people who need gluten-free food but can’t afford it. He works with the local food bank Pierce’s Pantry. started by former Wayland High School student Pierce Keegan and his mother Tracy Keegan.

According to Clark, Pierce’s Pantry operates by soliciting donations from food companies. They receive substantial donations from large companies, such as Cheerios, and several donations from other smaller companies as well.

Once they receive the food, they store it and deliver it on a monthly basis to different food pantries around the state.

“Right now we are helping around 75 people throughout the state,” Clark said.

Clark assists in talking with food sponsors and delivering food to local food pantries in the Massachusetts area, including Parmenter Food Pantry in Wayland. He also helps to organize the distribution of food to these organizations.

“A lot of people don’t get how much more expensive it is to eat gluten-free,” Clark said. Gluten-free food is two to three times more expensive than food with gluten in it.”

Clark is currently working on designing a new website for Pierce’s Pantry. He explains that it’s a project he has spent over 50 hours working on.

Clark has been working with Pierce’s Pantry since his freshman year and plans to continue his work with them.

To find out more about Pierce’s Pantry or donate gluten-free food, click here.