Food program moves to new location

Date: 6/9/2010

June 9, 2010.

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD -- Alison Maynard looked over the neat line of metal shelves with rows of cans of food and said the Open Pantry has always wanted "a space of that was our own."

Although the Springfield emergency food program doesn't own the new location at 2460 Main St. suites 108 and 108B in the Plaza Del Mercado, the executive director believes moving to it is the end of an eight-year journey.

The food program hosted an open house at the new location on June 3.

Until May 3, the program had been in space provided by Springfield Partners For Community Action (SPCA) for two years after it lost its location at the Old First Church.

The location had been a food pantry once in its history, Maynard said, which is why it has double doors and a designated unloading space. Although slightly smaller than its location with SPCA, she said the advantages include a better floor plan with "no dead space" and a ground floor location that made access easier to all clients.

She thanked the Hampden County Sheriff's Department for its help in moving the pantry, which took two and a half days.

Maynard said she has seen an increase in the number of people using the pantry services for the last nine months. More families in the summer are common, she explained, as families need additional food to replace free school breakfasts and lunches many children receive.

The pantry is now trying to offer more fresh fruit and vegetables to its clients and she said the response has been very positive.

The pantry needs both donations of food items and cash donations to continue its work. Although the food drive conducted by postal workers usually replenishes the shelves for the summer months, she said, the amount of donations was down this year.

Donations may be made from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday. Monetary gifts are always welcome, Maynard said.

"If people don't know what to buy, we known what we need," she explained.

For more information, go to www.openpantry.org.