Food pantries prepare for holiday season crunch

Date: 11/15/2022

WESTERN MASS. – Economic instability, inflation and supply chain issues have exacerbated already existing regional food insecurity issues and placed additional strain on those working to bridge the gap. As the holiday season quickly approaches, those organizations are bracing for what may be even higher than usual demand this winter.

Reminder Publishing talked with several Western Massachusetts food pantries and support organizations about their services and how they plan to accommodate an ever-growing need.

As the region’s largest metropolitan area, Springfield is home to many of these service organizations.
Springfield features many food pantries that work towards curbing food insecurity’s impacts. Open Pantry Community Services Inc. at 287 State St. has several events tied in with the holiday season to address the additional need for food.

The pantry is the benefactor of the annual Mayflower Marathon – a 52-hour broadcast from Rock 102 that aims to fill three 48-foot trailers with non-perishable food donations. While the charitable broadcast previously operated at the Basketball Hall of Fame plaza, it will now take place at MGM Springfield from 6 a.m. on Nov. 21 to 10 a.m. on Nov. 23.

Readers can find out more information regarding the Mayflower Marathon at https://rock102.com/events/mayflower-marathon-10/.

Open Pantry will also be hosting its 11th annual Stuffing the Pantry 5K race and walk. Over the last nine years, the charitable race raised over $300,000 toward addressing food insecurity while also gathering 2,500 pounds of food during last year’s race alone. This year’s race will take place on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 24, with interested participants able to sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/EastLongmeadow/StuffingthePantry5k.

Another food pantry in the Springfield area is The Gray House on 22 Sheldon St. The North End organization has been working since 1982, aiding local residents through operating a food assistance program, adult education programs and after school and summer youth programming, according to their mission statement.

For the Thanksgiving holiday, The Gray House will be distributing turkeys to 300 families. The food pantry is also hosting their annual Christmas gift program. Readers can learn more about their holiday programs or get involved by reaching out to info@grayhouse.org.

The Community Survival Center at 240 Main St., Indian Orchard does its best to help those who need help in multiple communities with the help from local groups and organizations.

The Community Survival Center has three programs which aid qualifying at-risk individuals and families in Ludlow, Wilbraham, Hampden, Indian Orchard, Sixteen Acres and Pine Point neighborhoods of Springfield.

Those programs include emergency food, a preschool program and senior outreach.

Executive Director Mary Cassidy said those in the emergency food program are allowed to come to the center up to six times a year while senior citizens and families with preschoolers enrolled in the other two programs can come to the center once a month.

The Community Survival Center usually receives non-perishable food items, but Cassidy added how fortunate they are to receive donations from local organizations.

“There are several groups who donate garden items to us and fresh produce. Rachel’s Table also goes to various stores and restaurants and pick up food to distribute to local pantries,” she said.

Rachel’s Table is a group out of the Jewish Community Center and they “glean” which is the act of collecting leftover crops from farmers’ fields after they have been commercially harvested.
November and December are popular times for food drives with Thanksgiving and other holidays coming up and Cassidy appreciates everyone who helps contribute to the Community Survival Center.

“We are so grateful to the schools, churches and outside groups who run their own food drives to help and individuals who donate as well. November is our busiest time of year, and we are fortunate to live in such a generous community,” Cassidy added.

The pantry is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Cassidy said the Community Survival Center has 20 regular volunteers who come once to twice a week but said that more help is always needed.

For anyone who needs aid or is looking to donate and/or volunteer, Cassidy said people can visit communitysurvivalcenter.org or find the Community Survival Center on Facebook and Instagram and “feel free to reach out.”

Many other organizations in surrounding communities also spoke to Reminder Publishing on their operations and programming:

Neighbors Helping Neighbors 30 Carew St., South Hadley

Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Holyoke goes through extra preparation during the holiday season as they look to use holidays as opportunities to help those in need in what can be a challenging time of year.

According to Volunteer Coordinator at South Hadley Neighbors Helping Neighbors Julie Gentile, the EMS departments of South Hadley and Granby have been doing turkey drives for the Thanksgiving season and have started taking donations for those in need during the holiday. Other town municipalities have also began collecting donations on behalf of the pantry.

“Our South Hadley Council on Aging collected 435 pounds of Thanksgiving items for us. We want to give our customers what they need to celebrate the holidays,” said Gentile.

While the official turkey drive being run by the two community’s EMS departments is nearing an end, people are still free to donate turkeys or anything on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Any donation is greatly appreciated year-round for the pantry, but especially during the holiday season.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Inc. opened doors in 2011 in the United Methodist Church at 30 Carew St., where they now serve about 150 families a month. The organization provides between six to eight days of food each month for each household member with support from food drives, fundraising and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Fresh vegetables from the Food Pantry Garden – a space within the South Hadley Community Garden – are available in season. The pantry also provides personal care products, household products and dog and cat food when available.

Gentile added they have definitely seen challenges as prices for goods have increased over the last year. Still, the organization has seen new customers and returning customers come back for the assistance provided. She added that with gas, food and utilities still going up, they don’t see numbers stabilizing. Priding themselves on being a client choice pantry, staples like soup, cereal, oatmeal, pasta, tomato products and canned meats are always needed.

“Need does not happen by seasons, for us it is year-round. Life changes can happen very quickly, especially financially, and we try to be prepared for whoever may need us,” Gentile said. “No one is allowed to go hungry.”

Providence Ministries 51 Hamilton St., Holyoke

For Holyoke, Providence Ministries runs multiple programs in the city for those in need of meals. Full-service food pantry Margaret’s Pantry and noontime meal service Kate’s Kitchen both continue to offer support to those in need with nutritional meals being offered.

Margaret’s Pantry is not client choice and prepares packages based on the size of the family receiving them. The pantry serves approximately 50-60 families a day according to Margaret’s Pantry Manager Brenda Lamagdeleine and each member gets about 75 pounds of food per person.

Lamagdeleine said the pantry has experienced some struggles getting certain items that normally are no issue getting in year’s past.

“We have had to reach out to the public for help in getting some of those items. It seems every year we seem to have a problem with getting soup and this year the same. We ran out of soup, tuna fish, canned meat, canned prepared meals along with many other items,” Lamagdeleine said.

November and December are usually the biggest months for donations for the pantry, but fear of the economy may be putting a damper on that since costs have increased according to Lamagdeleine.

Margaret’s Pantry accepts any non-perishable item during food drives and Lamagdeleine added while they have certain needs come up, they are typically able to answer those needs within days. They are also accepting donations through the holiday season as usual and accept donations via check made out to Margaret’s Pantry.

“I have been working here for 17 years and it never fails,” Lamagdeleine said about meeting the needs of the population they serve. “But I would say still soup, canned meat, desserts, meal makers such as stuffing, instant potatoes, pasta sides, Hamburger Helper, etc., and all the fixings to make a Thanksgiving meal.”

She added any donations of turkeys or other fresh items for the meals needs to be delivered to the pantry during hours of operation for proper storage.

Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen 170 Pendexter Ave., Chicopee
Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen Executive Director Kimberly Caisse shared that the food pantry continues to experience increased traffic as the holiday season approaches.

“Even before the holidays started, it’s gotten quite busy here the last month or so, and I think it has a lot to do with the rising cost of food,” said Caisse.

To help with the growing demand, community partners continue to assist Lorraine’s in vigilantly combating food insecurity. Caisse said that business entities like Ondricks Natural Earth, People’s Bank, and Friendly’s represent some of the organizations that are running food drives to assist the food pantry.

Additionally, charitable community events are contributing to Lorraine’s efforts. The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce donated funds and a few hundred pounds of food as a part of the annual Chicopee Thriller 5K Road Race and Walk, while the Jess Miller Comedy Show gathered 1,300 pounds of food as part of a stuff-the-bus event.

“All of these small businesses, banks and organizations have all reached out, which is fantastic for us. It’s right at the right time,” said Caisse.

Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen also operates a mobile food pantry that was established last year. The pantry travels to various locations throughout Chicopee Mondays through Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Readers can view their monthly schedule at https://www.lorrainessoupkitchen.com/mobile/.

“We’re excited about it … We’re seeing a good amount of people at the mobile food pantry,” said Caisse.

Readers can learn more about Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and their services at https://www.lorrainessoupkitchen.com/.

Longmeadow Adult Center Food Pantry 211 Maple Rd., Longmeadow

Many communities run a food pantry through their council on aging, and that is the model used at the Longmeadow Adult Center.

James Leyden, director of the Longmeadow Council on Aging said, “Donations have been relatively steady,” throughout the year, but the need has increased. “We do see a rise in the number of families we serve during the cold weather months,” he said.

The pantry usually serves between 60 and 70 families in the community. Leyden stressed that the food pantry is open to all residents, despite its location in the Adult Center. Typically, there is a roughly even mix of families and seniors picking up food.

Leyden recently sent a letter to local organizations requesting food drives to replenish the pantry’s shelves.

“We are always mainly looking for non-perishables,” Leyden said. Despite the need for certain staples, the pantry rarely receives enough canned goods such as soups, tuna, chicken and vegetables. They are also commonly seeking pasta sauces, peanut butter, cereal, and at this time of year, shelf-stable holiday sides, such as canned yams.

Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Leydon said that a volunteer will even help take them out of the car for residents, if they call ahead.

“We have a great team of volunteers to help with weighing, sorting and putting together bags,” Leyden said. The food is bundled into bags and distributed on Fridays, by appointment only. For first time users of the service, Leyden said, “Call our office at the new Adult Center and we’ll help you get set up.”

Wilbraham Public Library Food Pantry 25 Crane Park Dr., Wilbraham

Communities build pantries of various sizes, from a humble cupboard to large rooms filled with shelves. The Wilbraham Public Library has been growing its pantry over the past year.

“Our pantry is very small and was basically inspired by the ‘Little Free Pantry’ movement, where neighborhoods set up and maintain their own pantries and the users/donors are completely anonymous,” said Sue Witham, borrower services coordinator at the library.

The pantry began in the summer of 2021, when a scout partnered with the library to turn an outdoor wooden cabinet into a food pantry as an Eagle Scout project. The pantry is now inside the lobby and is open during the library’s hours of operation.

“People can donate items in the donation bin located in the lobby or by leaving items in the outdoor shed. We accept all non-perishable items, as we do not have a fridge or freezer, as well as any toiletries and household cleaning items,” Witham said. “We do ask that items do not have an expired “best by” date. We check the expiration dates on all donations.”

Witham has noticed a decline in the volume of donations in the past couple of months. “It might be because more families are struggling to make ends meet with inflation and rising cost of food, gas, heating oil, etc.”

During downturns in the number of donations, the fact that the pantry is not particularly prominent works against them. “If people can afford to donate, I think other organizations like the Community Survival Center or similar are places folks think of first,” she opined. “Many of the donations we receive are items that people who already receive food assistance do not care for or don’t have use for, like boxes of mac and cheese, dried milk, vegetarian soup, dried beans, etc.”

Despite an overflow of dried beans, Witham said the pantry is in need of any donations residents can spare. “When items are put on the pantry shelves, it typically goes out that same or the next day. There is a great need for food assistance as we head into the winter months,” she said.

Recognizing that the pantry is a source of temporary aid, the library hands out flyers on how to seek more permanent assistance.

Ludlow Veterans Service Food Pantry at Town Hall 488 Chapin St., Ludlow

On Sept. 2, The Veterans Services Department launched a food pantry for veterans in need.
“Food insecurity has been one of the biggest issues facing our veterans’ population in recent years” said Eric Segundo, director of Veterans Services in Ludlow.

The pantry will temporarily be set up in the first floor conference room at Town Hall and will be open every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is currently seeking help from the community for donations of non-perishable unexpired, unopened food items to help fill their shelves.

Segundo said, “This is another resource to support veterans and their families. Items such as canned soup, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned stew, chili, tuna fish, canned meat, canned beans, pasta, rice, whole grain breakfast cereals, pasta sauce and much more would be appreciated.”

The Ludlow Veterans Services is also currently hosting a Thanksgiving food drive until Nov. 18 to help provide a Thanksgiving meal to veteran families.

Segundo said right now the Veterans Service Department is specifically looking for donations of canned vegetables, stuffing, cranberry sauce, instant potatoes, baking products, corn bread mix and other thanksgiving favorites.

Segundo added, “Our food pantry serves on average 35 veterans and families in a four hour period every Friday. This will only increase each week as the winter months kick in. Our office is always accepting donations during normal business hours.”

The office business hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No appointment is needed but veterans and a widow or widower of a veteran should contact the Veterans Department at 583-5600, ext, 1291, or email esegundo@ludlow.ma.us to get for more information.

Helping Hands Cupboard Food Pantry 18 Park St., Belchertown

The Helping Hands Cupboard food pantry makes sure that they are there to help everyone in need of help.

The food pantry has been open for over 20 years and is connected to the Belchertown United Church of Christ (BUCC)

Amy Eyler-Pelletier oversees the pantry and makes sure that is always fully stocked and people know what the pantry needs.

This is the first year Eyler-Pelletier has put together a reverse advent calendar that includes 12 different items that she feels the pantry has more of a need for.

Those items include cereal, pasta, crackers, box mashed potatoes, soup, canned fruit and canned vegetables. It also included some household items like dish soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, shampoo and tissue boxes.

Eyler-Pelletier said, “We can get a lot of food items from a food bank in Hatfield but all the other household items and cleaners we rely on donations.”

She added that anyone looking to donate can stop by the church office located in the Parish House Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointment is needed.

The pantry typically distributes on the third Thursday of the month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. For this month, it will be Nov. 17. In December it will the fourth Thursday and take place on Dec. 22. Distribution takes place at the Parish House for the Belchertown UCC, 18 Park St.

Eyler-Pelletier added that you do not need to be a resident of Belchertown to participate, and that the pantry sees people from other towns like Ludlow, Ware and Palmer come to the pantry for aid.
The pantry serves between 45 to 60 families a month which Eyler-Pelletier estimated can be 80 to 140 people.

In December the church is also having a Giving Tree event where clients of the food pantry can sign up their children, up to age 18, and they will receive wrapped gifts at the Dec. 22 distribution. Members of the church and community “adopt a kid” and do some gift shopping to distribute to the children who were signed up.

Anyone who is looking to sign up must do so before Dec. 1. Eyler-Pelletier said you can visit the Helping Hands Cupboard food pantry at BUCC Facebook page or reach out at 324-8431.

Wales Community Pantry 85 Main St., Wales

The Wales Community Pantry, a nonprofit organization in Wales, serves the towns of Brimfield, Holland and Wales.

As the holidays approach, Director Jean Smith, said they are fortunate enough to have everything they need for Thanksgiving. From nuts to soup, turkey and even the after-dinner treats, Smith said they will be providing 178 families with a full feast.

While they are set for Thanksgiving, Smith said they are currently looking for monetary donations. By receiving monetary donations, the pantry can purchase necessary items such as dairy products, nonperishables, meat and so on.

“With the cost of food right now, it’s challenging [for people],” said Smith.

Over the past five years, Smith noted that Thanksgiving has been a much busier holiday than Christmas. Around Christmas time, she said they like to give out hams, however, people seem to be celebrating with friends and family, all bringing their own dish.

To make a monetary donation to the Wales Community Pantry, visit https://www.walescommunitypantry.com/.

Jubilee Food Cupboard 20 Park St., Ware

Every Thursday, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. the Jubilee Food Cupboard provides food assistance to those in need.

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, food distribution has already begun. The cupboard expects to serve more than 150 families this upcoming holiday.

On the donation side, the cupboard is in need of spaghetti sauce, pasta, tuna, soups and dried milk to name a few.

To donate, call 967-6100. For more information, visit https://trinityware.org/. The Jubilee Food Cupboard is in Trinity Episcopal Church.

Hardwick Food Pantry 179 Main St., Gilbertville

Rather than looking for food donations this holiday season, the Hardwick Food Pantry needs personal care products and pet food – primarily for dogs and cats.

Liz Reilly is one of the several local people who help operate the food pantry. She shared, “Clients would rather feed their pets instead of themselves,” because for some, that’s all they have.

She went on to say that personal care items needed include deodorant, tampons and adult diapers.
“Although it’s odd to not ask for food, that’s what we need this holiday season,” said Reilly.

She noted that the food pantry received a grant from Palmer to help with groceries for the time being. In the new year, she said they will be looking for funding to assist with the groceries.

The Hardwick Food Pantry has served residents of Hardwick and New Braintree for over four and a half decades. “We are a smaller pantry, but we serve a lot of people,” said Reilly. “Donations make a huge difference.”

The food pantry is located in the basement of the Hardwick Municipal Building. For additional information, visit https://triparishcommunitychurch.com/missions/.