SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – As cuts are being made to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it was recently revealed hundreds of thousands of dollars for food in western Massachusetts have been canceled, which could affect local food pantries and the communities they serve. Now, one of those pantries is responding.
There is nervousness being felt at Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry and those in charge said they are in need of not only food items but also community support. “I feel like there’s not going to be as much food available for the pantry,” said Kim Caisse, executive director of Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry in Chicopee.
Caisse did not hold back her concerns on Tuesday, as there seems to be trouble brewing for her pantry and others in our area. Right now, Lorraine’s is seeing an increase in dinner and pantry services, especially with school wrapping up very soon. However, she had to break the news to friends and supporters recently about the impact from the USDA’s announcement: canceling $440,000 in food deliveries planned through August for our area. That means the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts would have trouble purchasing and sending food items to pantry partners, such as Lorraine’s. “Everybody’s pulling back a little bit. Monetary donations, food donations. We’ve seen an impact already, and we haven’t gotten into the summer months really,” she explained.
Western Mass News stopped by the pantry on Tuesday and saw empty shelves in refrigerated and produce areas. There were also signs that told those who stop by there is a limit of what they can take in certain areas. Now, members of the community are stepping up to the plate. “I was just pacing around the house thinking ‘Why is this happening?’ and then I just thought ‘You know what? I’m going to go door to door and see what I can do and get a little bit,’” said Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry volunteer Christine Amo.
Amo has helped out at Lorraine’s for around ten years. She recently took to Facebook and told those in her neighborhood to drop-off food and monetary donations on her front porch in a couple of weekends. Among the products requested were peanut butter, jelly, rice, canned vegetables, canned fruit, pasta, and pasta sauce. “Year after year, the numbers of families looking for help has been going up. The number of people going to the soup kitchen for supper has been going up,” she explained.
Caisse called the effort “humbling” and hoped they can receive more donations as soon as possible. “I’m honored that people are out there fighting for us in the community. It means a lot to us. We can’t thank them enough for what they’re doing,” she said.
With regards to Amo’s effort, she plans to bring all of her neighborhood donations to Lorraine’s during the week of June 16.
You can CLICK HERE to learn more on how you can support Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen.
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