Director Laura Gavioli stands in the Huntington Food Pantry.
Reminder Publishing file photo
HUNTINGTON — While SNAP benefits hadn’t been paused yet — which happened Nov. 1 — the director of the Huntington Food Pantry said that when it opened on Oct. 30, at least of one-third of those seeking food assistance were new.
“People hadn’t even missed [getting their accounts refilled] but they had this fear, complete fear,” said Laura Gavioli, the director of the pantry located in the basement of the Pioneer Valley Assembly of God at 63 Old Chester Road, where she is also the church’s office manager.
Typically, Gavioli said, they have about 55 people shopping for their families each week. On Oct. 30, 75 showed up.
“I was really surprised … you could see in their eyes that they were freaking out,” Gavioli said, adding that she and the pantry volunteers tried to calm the fears by letting everyone know, “it’s going to be OK.”
Because of the ongoing federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the program, posted on its website that “the well has run dry” for SNAP benefits blaming “Senate Democrats.”
“It’s unfortunate that this revolves around politics,” she said.
However, on Nov. 3, after two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to begin refilling the EBT cards, it refused to fund the entire amount needed for November, filing in federal court it would fund 50% of individuals and families’ allotments, according to media reports.
Even with that announcement, Gavioli was unsure what Thursday will bring. She was sure of one thing, however.
“We’re figuring we’ll get an uptick, but we will serve whoever shows up,” she said.
While she thought the pause in the food program might increase the numbers using the pantry, Gavioli added that during the holiday season the number of families seeking help generally ticks up.
She said there is one thing about the pantry that is remarkable.
“We seem to be getting what we need,” she said.
She said that it is because of the food provided by the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Chicopee, and arrangements the pantry has with Cumberland Farms, Big Y, Stop & Shop, Walmart, Price Rite, the Breadbasket Bakery and Cafe, and lately the pantry has been getting bagels from Southwick’s Fancy Bagels.
The Western Mass. Food Bank, she said, is providing food that was provided months ago by the federal government.
“They are still providing even if the government is shut down,” she said.
Of course, monetary donations are always accepted and Gavioli said it is those donations that help purchase items the pantry is short of … like this week it’s peanut butter.
The Huntington Food Pantry, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is located on the lower level of the Pioneer Valley Assembly of God on 63 Old Chester Road and provides food to the residents of more than a dozen towns surrounding Huntington. The pantry is open Thursdays, 9-11:30 a.m. and 2 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 413-667-3196.
