By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer
Northborough – In the lower level of the Town Hall, the Northborough Food Pantry services the needs of many families. This supplemental source of food for people in the community can make all the difference in the world.
Donna Weaver and Ann Taggart, co-directors of the Food Pantry, help to ensure that the pantry is stocked, oversee the 130 volunteers, shop, make deliveries, sort through donations, and work closely with the Worcester County Food Bank. Every month they also fill a large SUV with items needed from the Massachusetts Emergency Food Program (MEFP).
Weaver and Taggart have been involved with the Food Pantry for a combined total of seven years. Those that use the pantry need to show proof of residence in the town, unless they are affiliated with one of the churches outside of the community when a waiver can be issued.
The Food Pantry is opened weekly on Wednesday mornings from 9-10:30 a.m. and Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m. There is one smaller room that has stocked shelves with non-perishables where clients can shop for necessities. Here one can find cereal, canned vegetables, soups, pastas and more. There are also three refrigerators that have dairy, eggs, fruit and meat.
“We have two or three clients at a time come in and shop,” Taggart explained. “They register yearly and show us some sort of ID. They are checked off so we know that they have come in.”
Weaver added: “Every week we give out a meat, eggs, some sort of dairy like yogurt, fresh fruit or vegetable. Those can be taken out of the refrigerator. This is all done by choice and we are committed to having people take what they need.”
The core group that works all of the time is probably half of the total number of volunteers. Some people do a job once a month, others shop every other week for paper products or coffee.
“Once a month we give out paper products, coffee and laundry detergent. The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) does not cover these items. A lot of the people that we serve are also on SNAP. We also have personal care items that can be requested once each month. We are currently servicing about 70 families each week right now,” said Taggart.
The Econolodge in Northborough is housing about 25 transitional families and is encompassed by the Food Pantry. Twice monthly there are deliveries made to the clients there that are “hotel friendly.” These items include microwavable meals and snacks.
“These people have limited cooking appliances so their microwave ovens get a lot of use. In addition, their refrigerators are very small,” Taggart said.
Donations are dropped off very regularly at the Food Pantry. The churches donate monthly and their donations are massive.
“We live in a very generous community and we also get financial donations regularly,” Taggart said.
The volunteers are a key ingredient in the success of the pantry. People can choose to do as much or as little as they are able. Everything is greatly appreciated.
“I would say that there is someone assigned to do a job here maybe five out of the seven days. They can stop in for two hours just to do some stocking or inventory. People leave donated items at our door all of the time,” Weaver said.
Anyone wishing to become a volunteer or donate items can visit www.nfpantry.org.
The Northborough Town Hall is located at 63 Main St.
