SHELBURNE — The Selectboard has approved a $482,933 Community Development Block Grant for improvements for Deerfield Avenue and a local food pantry.
Just over $400,000 of the grant will go toward those improvements, while nearly $29,000 will go to the food pantry. The remainder, about $48,000, will be used for town administrative services.
Director Justin Costa of Community Action pantry, a food network with a location in Cowell Gym in Shelburne Falls, said the grant is “paramount” to the program.
“We really appreciate it,” Costa said. “We’re grateful for the support.”
The Cowell Gym site served more than 200 locals over the past 15 months, Costa said.
Community Action is a “choice pantry,” which means it allows patrons to choose items according to their preferences and dietary requirements, Costa said.
“More often than not, those choices have been fresh produce,” Costa said. “About a third of the food we distribute is fresh produce.”
The Deerfield Avenue project includes upgrading drainage and lighting, constructing a concrete sidewalk and paving and grading the road. The town is seeking bids from construction companies for the Deerfield Avenue project. Bids will be accepted until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
“We’ve systematically worked our way through the main roads, and we’ve gotten to Deerfield Avenue,” Selectboard Chair Robert Manners said.
Reach Grace Bird at
gbird@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 280