SOUTHWICK – Our Community Pantry is trying to freshen things up.
Sally Munson, director of the food pantry, said she is trying to bring more fresh foods to her clients.
“Right now we have carrots, onions, apples and potatoes,” she said.
Most people associate food pantries with non-perishable items. And while those items are a staple, adding fresh fruits and vegetables is important for the nutrition of Munson’s clients.
To help bring more fresh foods to families in Southwick, Tolland and Granville, Munson purchased coolers to safely transport food from the Western Mass Food Bank back to Our Community Pantry on College Highway thanks to a $500 grant from the Berkshire Bank Foundation.
Munson is also using those funds to research the needs of hilltown residents.
“This money will help us fund getting up to the hilltowns more,” she said. “We are researching the need for an outreach program there.”
Munson believes there are families in Tolland and Granville who could benefit from the pantry’s services but are not able to travel to Southwick.
“People are having trouble getting down to us,” said Munson. “We are looking to expand our services to go there once a month and bring food to residents who cannot get to us.”
Munson said she hopes to have the outreach program up and running after the first of the year.
Another use of the grant funds is storage. Munsons aid the pantry staff and board are looking for different shelving options to help prolong the life of produce without refrigeration. Munson said the unfortunate reality is that there are times her clients are without electricity and she wants to help them access fresh foods during those times.
With the holidays just around the corner, Our Community Pantry is preparing to offer Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, Munson said they are in need of holiday meal donations, such as stuffing and cranberry sauce, and donations of gift cards to local grocery stores so she and her staff can purchase needed items.
The annual Boy Scout Food Drive is also set to take place next month in time for the holidays. Local scouts will bring bags to Southwick homes Nov. 16 and pick up the nags – filled with food donations – on Nov. 23.
Another way to give, and have a good time, is at the Wine Tasting event to benefit Our Community Pantry. The event is Sunday, Oct. 13 at Louie B’s from 4-8 p.m. A $25 ticket includes tasting six wines and hearty appetizers. For those who are not fans of wine, a $10 ticket allows entrance to the event and appetizers. Munson said there will be numerous raffles prizes, including box seats to a 2014 red Sox game.
Tickets are available through the pantry, at Diane Mason Insurance, Southwick Florist, and at the door.
Munson said other items needed at the pantry right now include pasta and sauce, baked beans, tea and coffee. Our Community Pantry, located at 220 College Highway, is open Mondays from 3-5 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – noon, and Thursdays from 5-6 p.m.
