By LORI SZEPELAK
Correspondent
WESTFIELD – Each month, 1,100 people are served by the Westfield Food Pantry on Meadow Street, according to Director Rebecca Hart.
“Summer is hard for us,” she said, noting that there are currently a lot of empty shelves since many donors are on vacation. When Hart was opening up the pantry doors at 10 a.m., there were 12 people waiting in line.
For area residents who wish to pay it forward with produce, Hart welcomes anyone wishing to drop off seasonal crops from community gardens, individual gardens or those from area farms.
“Of the 1,100 people we serve each month, 51 percent are children under 18,” she said, adding that 13 percent are elderly residents.
“Our clients have changed significantly since I started in this role in 2009,” said Hart, adding that approximately 700 people were served each month.
Hart also noted that in 2009, clients tended to be underemployed, laid off from a job, or even lost a second and third job.
“Today, a lot of our clients are working who have found their hours cut and are unable to meet the basic needs for their families,” she said.
Each month, clients receive approximately 30 pounds of food staples, and for larger families, the size of the food staples increases. In addition, once a week the clients can return to the food pantry for produce if available, and bread and desserts. Big Y Foods, Stop & Shop and Starbucks are among the businesses that provide daily perishable day old bread and bakery items that are picked up by pantry volunteers. In addition, C & S Wholesale Grocers are also helpful in providing frozen meals that can be stored in the walk-in freezer.
Since the pantry has a freezer and refrigerator, produce in particular can be kept cool until it is distributed.
“For over five years, Trudy Weaver of Wyben has been collecting produce from her neighbor and driving it down to us,” said Hart. “She is just one of our amazing liaisons who want to help others.”
Westfield Food Pantry hours are Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to noon; Thursday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. to noon. The pantry is closed Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call (413) 572-0802.
Canned and dry foods are also welcomed as well as frozen foods, however, the pantry cannot accept badly dented cans, outdated cans, or open packages. If items cannot be dropped off during pantry hours, call Hart to arrange a more convenient time.
Monetary donations are also welcome and each donation is 501(c) 3 tax-deductible. Checks can be mailed to Westfield Food Pantry, 101 Meadow St., Westfield, MA 01085.
“What I love most about my job is working with the volunteers at the pantry, as well as interacting with our clients,” said Hart. “People want to work and some of our clients have moved up and are now volunteers themselves. We give hope to people every day.”
