CAC doubles amount of food it can provide with expansion into former MHCC offices

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — The Community Action Committee recently expanded its food pantry, which will now provide twice as much food for families in need. The additional space was made available when the Montachusett Home Care Corp., which was located within the building, relocated its offices. The small room where the previous food pantry was located has been cleared out, and is now the committee’s new conference room, complete with a table Saloom Furniture in Winchendon donated. The newly-expanded food pantry has now moved to a much larger room behind the front desk. Executive Director Julie Meehan said she is thrilled with the pantry’s early success. “With this larger space, we can have more supplies on hand, and we can help twice as many people,” said Ms. Meehan. “We are so well supported by the community, the general public has been wonderful. The majority of our food comes from the Worcester County Food Bank, but we have other sources like the mail carriers that advertise and collect food for the pantry, but it really is the residents that make those donations that really help.” Although the food pantry is consistently stocked throughout the year, there are points every month where the number of people coming in for food dramatically increases, according to Ms. Meehan. “In the first week of each month the food stamps go out, so typically the end of the month is the busiest time for us,” said Ms. Meehan. “Last weekend we actually had 10 brand-new families come in, which is good and bad. It is good to say that we are busy, but it is also bad that we have to be busy.” Now that the food pantry has been expanded, Ms. Meehan said that they are looking to the public to donate more food to families in the area. “We aren’t looking for anything specific,” said Ms. Meehan. “Food is food, and anything that people can donate is going to be greatly appreciated.” oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 3 on 6/13/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 140)