SOUTHWICK – Our Community Food Pantry, through a “generous” grant from the United Way of Pioneer Valley, is now signing up children for the Project Healthy Summer & Beyond initiative.
“Each child will receive a bag filled with kid-friendly meals and snacks each week while school is out,” said Sally Munson, manager of Our Community Food Pantry at 220 College Highway. The food pantry also serves the communities of Granville and Tolland.
Sally Munson, manager of Our Community Food Pantry, flanks some of the food items that are given to kids during a summer program.
Once school is out for summer break, yellow bags will be available each week for any child who qualifies for the free lunch program during the school year. For breakfast, offerings can range from frozen burritos and sausage and egg sandwiches to cereal, oatmeal and breakfast bars. For lunch, microwaveable meals can include corn dogs and Hot Pocket meals, as well as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Other foodstuffs include small size portions of macaroni and cheese, ravioli, and pork and beans. Snacks include fresh produce like carrot sticks, nuts, applesauce and pieces of fruit. Juice boxes are also provided for all meals.
“We know we’re not getting all the kids who need the help so we need to spread the word throughout the communities,” said Munson.
On Wednesday afternoon, Munson was taking stock of items throughout the pantry’s rooms, noting that items in particular that are needed include baking ingredients (flour and sugar), spices, condiments, pickles, bottles of water and tins of plum tomatoes. Additionally, personal care items such as soap, toothpaste, toilet paper and feminine products are always sought. Lastly, dry or canned dog and cat food and kitty litter are also welcomed.
“Big Y and Stop & Shop support us tremendously, as well as all of the churches on an ongoing basis,” said Munson.
During the recent United States Postal Service food drive, Munson noted that 300 pounds of food was collected from the Southwick Post Office.
With local farmers knee-deep in planting now, Munson is also hopeful that some may consider “planting a row for us.”
Munson, who has been at the helm for five years at the food pantry, said she continues to see a need in the three communities served by the organization.
“We know our clients very well and know what their needs are,” said Munson. “Our clients work one-on-one with our volunteers.”
Munson stressed the organization’s mission is to “never turn away a family in need.”
While the food pantry has been serving local families for many years, Munson is also thankful that a Community Development block grant in conjunction with the Town of Southwick has enabled the purchase of a mobile food pantry which now can also make deliveries to Granville and Tolland.
Sally Munson, manager of Our Community Food Pantry, looks over the sparse personal products shelves.
“We are serving 28 families in Granville and Tolland,” said Munson, adding she knows there are still people in need but she has to find ways to reach them.
“The mobile food pantry helps us to reach families from Granville and Tolland who are unable to get to the pantry in Southwick,” said Munson, adding she is working with outreach workers from the Council on Aging offices to reach more residents – especially seniors.
“Our seniors have particular needs and we try to provide them with Ensure drinks, Depend underwear, bed pads and low-sodium products,” said Munson, noting all of those items are sparse on her shelves.
Our Community Food Pantry received a grant to set up a mobile food pantry to reach families in Granville and Tolland who are unable to access the Southwick site. (Submitted photo)
“We are seeing more seniors and in particular, grandparents taking care of grandchildren,” said Munson, adding the effects of drug and alcohol abuse by the children’s parents have taken a toll on the family structure.
“We are currently seeing seven families in Southwick alone where the grandparents have taken in their grandchildren,” said Munson. “We do not want anyone to have any hesitation to ask for help. We are welcoming and want people to use our services.”
Munson said the organization also recently received a grant of $1,860 to “improve and expand on the unique needs of seniors” from Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly, Inc. This is the third year the food pantry has received a grant from Sarah Gillett Services, based in Westfield.
Currently, van drivers Meg Raggio, assistant director at the food pantry, and volunteer Rick Falcetti, are making deliveries on Wednesdays from 1 to 1:30 p.m. at the Tolland Public Safety Complex on West Granville Road, and from 1:45 to 2:15 p.m. at the Granville Federated Church.
“We provide weekly allocations of food to families and individuals based on a needs assessment,” said Munson.
Munson thanked her army of volunteers who are the backbone of the organization.
“We want to thank our donors and volunteers for their support so we can continue our mission,” said Munson.
For more information on services, call (413) 569-9876 or stop in during pantry hours: Monday, 3 to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to noon, and Thursday, 5 to 6 p.m. Additional information on the food pantry is available at www.community-food-pantry.org or on its Facebook page. Emails can also be sent to Munson at [email protected].
“It’s hard to get people to walk through the door but we want them to know we can help them,” said Munson, noting that sometimes it might only be a week or two that an individual or family may need assistance.
Munson noted that in 2017, the pantry distributed 130,000 pounds of food.
“If there is a need, I will get the food because that is what we are here for,” she said.
