Sally Munson of Our Community Food Pantry in Southwick accepts a $5,000 donation from American Legion Post 338 Adjutant Michael Sullivan Jan. 25 while members of the Legion look on. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
SOUTHWICK – American Legion Post 338 is helping families in the area with a sizeable donation to Our Community Food Pantry in Southwick.
Post Adjutant Michael Sullivan and other members of the Legion gave Pantry Coordinator Sally Munson a check Jan. 25 for $5,000.
Sullivan said the money was made available through new Moto-Cross owner Michael Grondahl.
“Mr. Grandahl gave money to us to distribute the way we saw fit,” said Sullivan. “We gave some to American Legion charities, the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and we wanted to give money to the food pantry.”
Legion members toured the pantry and saw some pretty bare shelves. Munson said she was grateful for the donation and would be able to use the funds for various prposes, including purchasing fresh produce, meats, dry goods, and to keep the pantry going.
“We try to keep a two months supply and this will help us stay ahead,” said Munson. “We are low right now, especially on produce.”
One squash and some onions were the only items on the produce shelves Saturday morning.
Munson said January has been a tough month for residents.
“Last year we had 40 new families, total. We have already had five new families this month,” said Munson. “If we get five new families every month, we will have a hard time keeping up.”
Munson said the cold weather and cuts to food stamps are the reason for the need right now.
“Food stamps were cut $20-$60 per family,” she said. “So people are using money they would have used to buy food to buy oil instead.”
Munson said the pantry serves Southwick, Tolland and Granville and there are people she knows could use their services but are not utilizing them.
For some people, they simply cannot get to the pantry, located at 220 College Highway.
“We are working on a grant to put together a mobile pantry to reach people who could use our services in the hilltowns,” said Munson.
Our Community Food Pantry served 161 families in 2013, which included 364 individuals. Of those, 147 families live in Southwick, nine live in Granville and five live in Tolland.
“I know there are more people who could use help in Tolland and Granville,” said Munson.
Forty-nine of the people served are over age 65, 205 are age 18-64, and 111 are under age 18.
