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Date: 6/13/2022
BELCHERTOWN – Through its Helping Hands Food Pantry, Belchertown United Church of Christ serves those in need in Belchertown and the surrounding area with food and other supplies.
Amy Eyler-Pelletier, who runs the pantry, said it has been open for over 20 years.
“We have been open since 1999 and it’s connected to the Belchertown United Church of Christ and one of the members thought that ministry was needed to help feed people who needed it in the community, so they got it started,” she said.
While the amount of people served varies per month, Eyler-Pelletier said that number averages between 80 and 150 people each month during its once-a-month distribution, which typically takes place the third Thursday of the month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Eyler-Pelletier said the food pantry is a member of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
“At the moment they are located out of Hatfield so we’re able to purchase food from there – anything from canned goods to sometimes produce depending on what they have,” she said.
During the summer, Eyler-Pelletier said some residents donate fresh produce.
“We are fortunate to have community gardens from other community members, particularly in the summer, who donate produce for us, which is greatly appreciated because its not always the cheapest thing for people to get ahold of,” she said.
One of the biggest areas of donations the pantry is looking for is paper products.
“Especially with COVID [-19] we went through the whole masks and cleaning supplies and that kind of thing to try and help people with those more expensive items. Toilet paper was a big one in the beginning. I literally had somebody give me a hug when I brought them a box of Kleenex because paper products were so hard to come by,” she said.
In terms of donations, Eyler-Pelletier said the pantry takes in a variety of goods.
“We accept donations mostly of non-perishables because with personal donations of produce I can’t guarantee that it’s been maintained at the right temperatures. What has been very helpful and what our clients have really enjoyed being able to get are a lot of the household goods, laundry detergent and personal hygiene kind of items. Those I can’t get from the food bank, so those donations are really helpful,” she said.
Along with non-perishables and household goods, the pantry also accepts cereals, breakfast foods and child-friendly foods. Eyler-Pelletier said the pantry accepts donations when the church office is open, which is typically Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In December, Eyler-Pelletier said the food pantry also hosts a giving tree for children in need during the holidays.
“Our members of the church and members of the community will adopt – it’s all anonymous of course – children that have families that need some extra assistance around the holidays,” she said.
Eyler-Pelletier spoke highly of the Belchertown community and its generosity during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The Belchertown community has been amazing with their generosity and donations, we’re very fortunate. It’s been such a stressful time for so many people who early on in this lost jobs or just were really struggling and to see that people without expecting any kind of reward or acknowledgment were just giving of the resources they felt they didn’t need to help out others,” she said. “It really has been amazing and very reassuring to see and to be able to help facilitate.”
Eyler-Pelletier said anyone is welcome to pick up food and supplies during the distribution days.
“People sometimes think that because we’re in Belchertown that it’s only people from Belchertown that can come, but we serve anyone who shows up,” she said.
On top of the monthly collection times, Eyler-Pelletier said the pantry also makes about 17 deliveries around town each month.
“We pack a bag of some consistent food products, any kind of produce or frozen meats sometimes that I’m able to get from the food bank and we try to do an assortment of household items as well,” Eyler-Pelletier said.
Eyler-Pelletier said anyone seeking help can show up on one of the distribution days or can call the church office at 323-7442. “If you feel that you need some help, just show up,” she said.
For more information those interested can check out The Helping Hands Cupboard Food Pantry at BUCC’s Facebook page.
Belchertown United Church of Christ is located at 18 Park St.