Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

Hefty donation puts food on the shelves of the Open Pantry

Guy Beacom and Kevin Noonan standing in front of the 20,000 pounds of food. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGIELD Kevin Noonan, the executive director of Open Pantry Community Services, looked at the pallets of boxed food items donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had one reaction: "Fantastic."

"This is manna from heaven," he added.

Noonan formally acknowledged the donation of 20,000 pounds of food for the Emergency Food Pantry on Thursday at the pantry's new location on the second floor of 721 State St. above the New Beginnings Child Care Center.

The food had arrived in December and the pantry had no place to store it. Clement DeLiso, the president of Pioneer Cold, offered to store the food free of charge until there was room for it at the pantry.

The pallets with the boxes of pork and beans, pears, apricots, honey, salsa and cocoa mix were brought to the pantry this week.

Guy Beacom of Wilbraham is the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints stake the church's term for diocese in Western Massachusetts and the person who requested the church donate the food. He explained there are 137 regional storehouses around the nation to supply food to church members and to make donations to charity.

Beacom said the Western Massachusetts stake had made a similar donation to the pantry about five years ago.

Making a request for food to donate is "a very easy process for us," Beacom explained.

Feeding the hungry is an important part of their faith, he added.

Noonan said the need for food has been slightly decreased since they made the move from their long-time headquarters at the Old First Church and he said this was due to people not understanding where they moved.

To make a donation to the food pantry, call Candace Larger at 737-5353 for details.