Pantry shelves need re-stocking

Marlborough - As many of us begin to plan for our annual Thanksgiving feasts, the food pantry that is run through the Marlborough Community Service Incorporated (MCSI) is quickly being overwhelmed by the increasing needs of local residents.

Food pantry manager Carol Phipps explained that needs are increasing, up 30 percent from last year, to more than 900 local residents monthly.

As part of its annual Thanksgiving holiday food support, the food pantry provides turkeys and store gift cards to residents. With still a week to go before Thanksgiving, the MCSI has already received requests from 415 families. Last year, the pantry distributed 375 turkeys and gift cards.

According to current statistics, the food pantry can expect up to 100 more requests before Thanksgiving, said MCSI Executive Director Fatinha Kerr said.

“The economy has had a huge eff ect,” Phipps said. “We are still seeing more and more people out of work, or some who just can’t find a job.”

Not surprised by the increase in holiday needs from last year, Phipps said she regularly hears from clients about how difficul t i t i s to make ends meet.

The MCSI is looking to the public for financial donations, gift cards and turkeys for Thanksgiving. With increased need and declining donations, the MCSI is currently 50 turkeys shy of being able to meet the existing requests.

Hopeful that they will receive more donations over the coming weeks, Phipps said the gift cards are used to buy the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner.

“Please take heart in knowing that the contributions of food, check donations and gift cards, along with your good wishes, will grace many tables in Marlborough on this approaching Thanksgiving Day,” Kerr said.

Thankful of the support that the community has given the food pantry in the past, Phipps explained that donations received during the holidays are used to sustain the food pantry throughout the winter months.

“People forget that we are here 365 days a year,” she said.

Appealing to the city for support, Kerr said this year has been the pantry’s toughest.

“This year, as an agency, we are experiencing the most difficult financial hurdles since we opened in 1992,” Kerr said.

The MCIS sustains the food pantry with funding from federal and state aid, grants and private donations, Phipps said, but the support of the community is essential.

With needs increasing, however, donations have been decreasing. Past donors are sometimes current visitors to the pantry, Kerr said.

“The agency contributions are noticeably less than last year,” Kerr said. “It is a reality that should not come as a surprise to us, given the rate of unemployment and the state of our economy.”

With new families coming into the pantry every week, the food pantry, which is open to Marlborough residents who qualify, off ers monthly food support of non-perishable items.

“The food pantry needs all non perishable foods items,” Phipps said.

Send donations to MCSI, 255 Main St., Suite 115, Marlborough MA 01752, call 508-485-2098 or 508- 481-4080, or stop by. The food pantry, located in the Walker Building, is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.