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Wales Community Pantry relocates to Brimfield to provide larger support and food for those in need
BRIMFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Wales Community Pantry held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday evening to celebrate its relocation to Brimfield.
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It was an exciting day for the pantry as they officially opened its doors at its new location on Palmer Road in Brimfield. After 15 years of serving the community at the Wales Senior Center, the food pantry has now relocated to a larger and more accessible space to provide food and support for those in need.
'I get hugged every day. Every day. There's just so much need, and people are so grateful for that. They are,' said the Wales Community Pantry Executive Director, Ann Davidson.
'The vibration when you come here is very receptive, no one is ashamed, nobody is judged, and nobody is turned away,' added Wales Community Pantry Volunteer, Grace Thomas.
Landlord Brian Caron, who built this building next to his family's Farmlands & Nursery, played a crucial role in helping them move into the new location and make it suitable for storing food, as it was previously a commercial garage. 'We all worked 24/7 to get this thing ready for them. But we accomplished it with a lot of help from a lot of people,' said Caron.
This functional and welcoming space is expected to help the pantry continue its mission in serving low-income families, senior citizens, and veterans, especially throughout the rural towns of Brimfield, Holland, Wales, and surrounding communities. They also help to deliver food to homebound clients.
The demand for food assistance has doubled in these communities over the past year and a half, making this pantry an important resource for those in need. 'What we're seeing is that the heightened cost of living hasn't dissipated since the end of the pandemic. And it's spiked, and it hasn't come down. So people are struggling and making difficult choices to pay rent or utilities or put food on the table,' said Executive Director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Andrew Morehouse.
Local farmers and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts are key supporters in making sure food is provided to the pantry to keep up with demand. The Food Bank generously donated $800 worth of gift cards from Big Y to help stock the pantry.
As they settle into their new location, they are actively seeking volunteers and donations to continue their important work in the community.
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