EAST LONGMEADOW — The East Longmeadow Emergency Food Pantry is the October selection for the town’s Stop & Stop Bloomin’ 4 Good Program.
With this selection, the pantry will receive a $1 donation from each “Bloomin’ 4 Good” bouquet that is purchased at the East Longmeadow Stop & Stop location at 470 N. Main St. Bouquets can be purchased for $10.99 each.
Selections are made each month by local store leadership with the company’s first selection in February 2021. Since it began, the company has donated more than $1.45 million to 2,585 organizations, according to Stop & Stop.
East Longmeadow’s Emergency Food Pantry offers nonperishable food items, certain perishable foods and personal hygiene products for any residents in need, focusing on reducing food insecurity within the town, Food Pantry Coordinator Elizabeth Baron told Reminder Publishing.
While the pantry is located in the Pleasant View Senior Center building, it operates as a separate entity, she said. Products are available both at the 328 N. Main St. location and through a mobile delivery service.
Additionally, the pantry is open to any East Longmeadow residents, Baron emphasized, noting that a common misconception is that the pantry only serves seniors, as it is inside the Senior Center.
Rather, any resident can use the pantry after completing a single page intake form. This is due to the pantry’s work with the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
During the last few years, the number of residents that the pantry supports has increased every month, Baron said, who joined the pantry in 2021. Since that time, the organization also worked to physically grow in order to store the needed number of donated products. Currently, the pantry utilizes an industrial sized refrigerator and freezer as well as industrial shelving..
“We have not seen numbers diminish, only increase,” Baron said, estimating that the pantry currently supports 60-70 families a month. Residents may require the pantry’s services due to multiple reasons, including low income, a lost job or changing life circumstances.
Despite the increased numbers, the pantry has never had to turn away residents in need, Baron said, highlighting that the pantry is “proud” to be able to support every resident who comes for help.
Items offered at the pantry are 90% dry food items and 10% personal hygiene products, such as shampoo, diapers and soap, Baron stated. The pantry receives most of its stock through donated items at drives hosted by local businesses and organizations with the remaining items given in deliveries from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and Spoonfuls, which provides certain perishable items like meats, dairy and produce.
Currently, the pantry is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., aligning with the hours of the Senior Center. Residents interested in donating can drop items off at the Senior Center during its regular hours. Dented or open items cannot be accepted. Monetary donations can also be made through checks and gift cards, Baron said. Checks should be addressed to the pantry directly.
In the past, the pantry has received nearly $1,000 from the Bloomin’ 4 Good program, which helps the pantry to offer goods and products that aren’t typically available. With the holidays approaching, this support will help purchase items such as Thanksgiving turkeys, Baron stated. She emphasized that the pantry was grateful for its selection.
Although the pantry is not hosting any upcoming drives itself, Baron noted that residents should look for drives hosted by local churches and organizations, such as Boy Scouts, Lions Club or Rotary Club, that specifically support the pantry. “[These drives are the donations] that really sustain us” and will stock shelves for the holiday season, Baron said.
“I want to give a big thank-you to the community,” she stated, highlighting that the pantry’s consistent support from the community “speaks to the heart of the community” and that it was important for residents and businesses to know how many people they support through donations.
