Glocester Food Pantry reaches ‘dangerously’ low levels

GLOCESTER – Glocester’s food pantry is getting dangerously low on supplies.

“After the first of the year, it has gradually declined,” said Human Services Director John Luszcz. “We are at a point now where we have about one third of what we had. We are at dangerous levels now.”

The director noted that it doesn’t help that the holiday season is on the horizon, a time when families gather to celebrate over dinners, which are on track to feature a great deal less than usual this year for families who rely on the pantry. Normally, Luszcz said, the pantry services about 30-50 families, but that number has risen to more than 125 this year. Meanwhile, the number of donations has been less than usual, he said, mostly because of the economy and the cost of food.

“A lot of people bring in food, but cash donations have gone down,” he said.

“Do you need stuff?” asked Town Council President William Worthy, at their recent meeting.

“We always need stuff, especially at the end of the summer” responded Luszcz. “We had nothing coming in.”

As a result, Luszcz said he was forced to lower the vouchers for food from $30 to $20. When he first took over as director four years ago, he had raised the limit to $30. Now, with less money on hand, he said the change had to be made.

Pantry organizers continue to raise funds, however, with local food drives, and donations from both individuals and companies. Monetary donations particularly help, allowing the food pantry to give out vouchers so those in need can purchase eggs, milk and other fresh necessities that the pantry cannot store. Luszcz told the council that a Smithfield realtor and a few individuals had made cash donations, which helped a great deal.

“We had one woman who came in with a very large check,” he said. “That helped.”

“We have holiday seasons coming up, and families trying to come over,” said Town Council President William Worthy.

“Exactly,” said Luszcz.

Last year, Luszcz noted that the Rhode Island Foundation gave the food pantry $3,000. This year, they received nothing from the organization.

“They said they didn’t have enough funds to help us,” he said. “They had so many requests there was nothing left for us. They left us out in the cold.”

“The fact that we are seeing more usage is kind of a sign of the times,” said Councilor Walter Steere. “However, we are kind of at the end of the line.”

In addition to food and food vouchers, the food pantry donates fuel money, rides to CVS, Dino’s, and/or medical appointments and other necessities, thanks in part to volunteers who offer their services to help others.

“We have plenty of volunteers,” added Luszcz. “Volunteers aren’t the problem. Revenue is.”

Dino’s Supermarket, located in town, he said, has been a major contributor over the years and continues to be, not only offering food and sponsoring food drives, but providing a 10 percent discount for seniors on Tuesdays.

“Dino’s has been a big help to us,” said Luszcz.

To some, Glocester may appear to be a more affluent community that wouldn’t have many people in need, Luszcz noted there are, in fact, more than might be expected – and the number is growing for several reasons.

“We do have a layer in this town who are needy,” Luszcz said.

That layer consists of people who are out of work, retired on a fixed income and/or elderly, he said.

“There are people whose families have lived here for over 100 years, retired, and trying to get by,” said Luszcz. “They are living on fixed incomes in many cases and just hanging on. They don’t want to move now. We are trying to accommodate everyone, to help everyone we can.”

Getting the word out, Luszcz hopes, will help generate more monetary donations, as well as food donations.

When making donations, he said, canned goods, such as crushed tomatoes, pasta, tomato sauce and various canned “meals” are always helpful. Donations can be made at Glocester Town Hall at 1145 Putnam Pike, anytime it is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The food pantry is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.