Our Community Food Pantry of Southwick located at 220 College Highway could be relocated to the basement of the Southwick Town Hall. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
Southwick food pantry
needs new home
By HOPE E. TREMBLAY
Staff writer
SOUTHWICK – The Our Community Food Pantry of Southwick is hoping for a new home.
The pantry is currently renting space from the Christ Church United Methodist and is located at 220 College Highway. In a letter to the Southwick Select Board, the pantry board of directors stated it is struggling to pay its $8,000 yearly rent and would like to utilize space in the Town Hall basement.
Julie Cecchini of the Our Community Food Pantry Board of Directors said the move would reduce 10 percent of the pantry’s expenses and, more importantly, offer more access to everyone who comes to the pantry.
“There are no ramps where we are now and it would need significant structural changes to get even a small wheelchair inside,” said Cecchini. “From clients to volunteers to donors, there is a significant portion of our population who cannot take advantage of what we have to offer. It would be a great achievement if we could change that.”
The pantry was once supplemented with state aid, however, budget cuts have left the pantry on its own. Cecchini said there are fundraising efforts throughout the year and the board is hosting a meeting March 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the pantry to encourage volunteers to help with a fall fundraiser.
Cecchini said a move to Town Hall would do a lot to help the community.
“In my opinion, a lot of space on the basement floor has been underutilized recently,” said Selectman Arthur Pinnel.
He suggested the space to the left of the basement floor side entrance could be used for the pantry. The space now houses a small cubicle office for the Parks and Recreation Department and a media room used by the afterschool program run by the YMCA.
Chairman Fred Arnold said “he had no problem with that” if the afterschool program and Parks and Recreation could be moved elsewhere.
“We would have to modify that space,” said Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart.
Selectman Russell Fox said although there are not many children currently enrolled in the afterschool program, there is a need for child care.
“There is a need in town,” said Fox. “I’d like to help the food pantry, but there are some other needs, too. And I think there is a possibility of a program out there that could help those kids.”
Pinnel said since the board will be examining use of space in the basement, it should take into account the need some departments have for storage.
Stinehart reminded the board that a Mommy and Me group meets in that space several times a week and the Senior Center may need to utilize the area once renovations of the Senior Center begin.
The board agreed to further investigate the idea, as well as space needs in Town Hall.
Pantry Operations Manager Sally Munson said the pantry serves 120 families and depends on a group of volunteers to get the work done. Munson is the only paid employee of the pantry and works 20 hours each week. Together with volunteers, Munson accepts and organizes donations, tracks data on donations including what is brought in and what is taken out, and assists those in need with eligibility applications, among other things. Volunteers also help market the pantry, including updating its Facebook page, and sending thank you notes to donors, as well as getting the word out on needed items.
Munson said there is always a need.
“We are always looking for donations because we are constantly looking ahead,” she said. “Right now we’re seeing an increase in people in need because it is winter and a lot of people work seasonally and are laid of right now. It is an ongoing and continuous need.”
Munson said even when there is a week that shelves are actually full, they still need donations because the next week, the shelves could be empty.
“You cannot stop because you have to look to the future,” sad Munson.
Some families make weekly visits to the pantry, while others come once a month. What the shelves have to offer depends on donations. Munson said some weeks she is able to purchase fresh produce with monetary donations.
Reducing or eliminating rent would be paid forward to families who use Our Community Food Pantry.
“If we can cut our costs, that’s more we can give back,” said Munson.
According to Munson, the pantry is open Mondays from 3-5 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., and Thursdays from 5-6 p.m.
Hope E. Tremblay can be reached at [email protected]
