WESTBOROUGH – Thanks to a grant through Lions Club International, the Westborough Food Pantry now owns the storage container outside of its facility.
On Thursday, Dec. 12, representatives from the Lions Club International joined food pantry volunteers and local legislators in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Westborough Lions Club had reached out to the pantry to determine potential needs. When the club discovered that the pantry had been leasing the container for $1,700 per year, the club decided to help by purchasing the container.
The local club reached out to Massachusetts Lions District 33-A and applied for a community aid grant from Lions Club International Foundation for $4,900. The grant was approved on Oct. 28.
With the purchase, the food pantry can use the lease payments to purchase more items for its clients.
“It’s the gift that keeps on giving,” said Tony Ash, the president of the Westborough Lions. “It directly benefits the food pantry.”
Ash then presented Paul Luitpold, the president of the food pantry, with the receipt for the container, reading “paid in full.”
“I could not be more proud of this club,” said Denise Andrews, the district governor for the Lions.
State reps. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury) and Kate Donaghue (D-Westborough) presented a citation from the State House to the Lions.
According to the pantry’s Polly Thayer, the container will be used to store non-food donations such as paper towels, toilet paper and hygiene products.
For information about the Westborough Food Pantry, which is at 9 East Main St., go to https://westboroughfoodpantry.org/
