NORTHFIELD — To serve residents during the ongoing health crisis, the Northfield Food Pantry has been open every Saturday and, after a brief intermission, is again accepting donations of necessary foods and personal care items through a no-contact service.
Manager Linda Chapin said the pantry, which is only open to Northfield residents, has seen families and individuals arriving by car or foot to wait outside Dickinson Memorial Library, where the pantry is housed. While the pantry normally only opens twice per month, it has been open every Saturday of April from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“With all the stuff going on, we figured we’d be open every week,” Chapin said.
Those arriving in cars on Saturdays are asked to drive down School Street, take a left onto Dickinson Street to come into the lower end of the library parking lot and then follow the signs. Everyone is asked to stay in their vehicles. Those walking to the library and food pantry are asked to maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others. Volunteers will take orders and bring items outside.
“Even last Saturday when it was raining, volunteers were out going to cars and taking orders,” Chapin said.
While the Northfield Food Pantry gets the majority of its supplies from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Chapin said there are things the pantry still needs. To accept other donations, Chapin and volunteers created a no-contact drop-off system.
Donations may be left in the blue bucket outside the back door of the library on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until the library reopens. Someone there will take the items and bring them inside the building.
According to Chapin, items the pantry is in need of include: dish and laundry detergent, disinfectant and cleaning supplies, personal care items, feminine hygiene products, diapers, shampoo, toothpaste, baking ingredients (flour, sugar, etc.), vinegar, mayonnaise, ground coffee, herbal teas, broths and pasta.
Those who want to make a monetary donation can send checks made out to the Northfield Food Pantry to P.O. Box 103, Northfield, MA 01360.