Westfield Food Pantry Executive Director Rebecca Hart (right) and her sister and pantry Program Director Melissa Cahalan (left) pose inside their food truck as they kick off services for a fifth year.
Reminder Publishing photo by Trent Levakis
WESTFIELD — SNAP benefits for nearly 42 million Americans were paused on Nov. 1, leaving struggling families and individuals with few places to turn for help, which is the mission of the Westfield Food Pantry and they’re ready.
“We’re slammed,” said Program Director Melissa Cahalan on Oct. 30. “We’re as busy as we’ve ever been.”
Cahalan, who is the sister of the pantry’s Executive Director Rebecca Hart, said the people they serve are “scared; we’re reassuring them” that they will be there for them, which is the message Hart recently posted on the pantry’s Facebook page.
“All of us here at the Westfield Food Pantry are working hard at the pantry to make sure that all people of Westfield have the food they need,” Hart said.
She also reminded residents that the pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Thursdays, and from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday and its food truck that serves hot meals is open on Monday and Thursday from 12:15 p.m. until the food runs out, which is at about 1 p.m.
Cahalan said the pantry has been stocking up on food preparing for the benefits to stop.
“We’ve been out grocery shopping getting ready,” she said.
The pantry, located at 101 Meadow St., serves between 1,200 and 1,500 people each month, Cahalan said.
In the video message, Hart told people not to lose hope.
“You’re not alone. We’re going to get through this, like we got through the pandemic and other challenges … and we’ll do it together,” she said.
According to the fact sheet at westfieldfoodpantry.org, community donations make up 90% of the food pantry’s support, which Cahalan spoke about on Thursday.
“We rely heavily on financial donations,” she said, which she said last year helped the pantry purchase foods for people on dietary restrictions.
Starting Nov. 1, the pantry will launch its Annual Appeal to help meet growing demand.
“We’re asking businesses and neighbors alike to step up and support our mission to keep shelves stocked and stomachs full,” according to a post on the nonprofit’s Facebook site.
The pantry accepts Venmo donations on its website at westfieldfoodpantry.org, and on its Facebook page at Westfield Food Pantry. Checks may be mailed to the Food Pantry at 101 Meadow St., Westfield, MA 01085.
Other organizations in the city that can help are:
- Our Community Table (soup kitchen) at 101 Meadow St. For more information, call 413-572-9147 or visit westfieldsoupkitchen.org.
- Samaritan Inn at 7 Free St. For more information, call 413-568-3122.
- YWCA of Western Massachusetts. For more information, call 800-796-8711 or visit ywworks.org. St. Vincent De Paul Charitable Society at 30 Bartlett St. For more information, call 413-562-5620.
