NORTHFIELD — While towns remain under stay-at-home advisory orders amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northfield Food Pantry is expanding to serve neighboring communities during this difficult time.
Food Pantry Manager Linda Chapin said the pantry’s board members decided to expand services to Pioneer Valley Regional School District towns. Residents of Bernardston, Leyden and Warwick will now have temporary access to the pantry, in addition to Northfield patrons.
“We thought, ‘Why not open it up to the district?’” she said. “It’s going to be for the next three Saturdays, for now.”
There is no cost to use the pantry, which is located within Dickinson Memorial Library. Having started last weekend, the next open days will be May 2, May 9 and May 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day. After May 16, Chapin said the board will reassess the need for extended access.
“This may be expanded,” Chapin said. “It depends on how many people we get and how long this (pandemic) goes on for.”
Pantry volunteers ask that patrons form a line in the rear parking lot of the library. A volunteer will collect patrons’ order outside, collect the items and bring them out to the waiting vehicles. Patrons are asked to stay in their vehicles, and they are encouraged to wear a face mask or face covering to protect the volunteers, who will also be wearing gloves and masks.
“We are grateful for all donations from businesses and individuals in a position to help,” Chapin said.
While the Northfield Food Pantry gets the majority of its supplies from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Chapin said there are items 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 needs include: canned vegetables, dish soap, laundry detergent, disinfectant and cleaning supplies, personal care items, feminine hygiene products, diapers, baking ingredients (flour, sugar, etc.), vinegar, mayonnaise, ground coffee, herbal teas, broths and pasta.
Those who want to make a monetary donation can mail checks made out to the Northfield Food Pantry to P.O. Box 103, Northfield, MA 01360.