Food donation bins have been placed in the foyers of Blackstone Municipal Center (during normal business hours) and the Blackstone Police Department, at 15 St. Paul St. (donations accepted 24 hours/day). (Photo Courtesy Town of Blackstone)
BLACKSTONE — Some of your neighbors may need your help.
On Nov. 1, due to the lingering effects of the federal government shutdown, residents receiving food assistance may experience a sudden loss of benefits.
In an effort to prevent any Blackstone family from experiencing food insecurity, the Blackstone Police Department and the Town of Blackstone have launched a Food Drive.
Food donation bins have been placed in the foyers of Blackstone Municipal Center (during normal business hours) and the Blackstone Police Department, at 15 St. Paul St. (donations accepted 24 hours/day).
All food donations will be distributed by the Blackstone-Millville Food Pantry, at 48 St. Paul St., Blackstone. The food pantry is open Tuesday nights, from 7-8 p.m., and on Saturdays, from 10-11 a.m. Residents just need to prove residency in Blackstone or Millville (recent mail, utility bill, proof of residency or photo ID) to receive food items from the pantry.
“Both the Town of Blackstone and the Blackstone Police Department want to do everything we can to ensure our residents can eat when they’re hungry,” said Town Administrator Chad Lovett. “All food donations received will be shared directly with the Blackstone-Millville Food Pantry, an organization that does an amazing job all year round.”
Click here for more information about the Blackstone-Millville Food Pantry.
According to the state Division of Transitional Assistance, about 1,000 Blackstone residents are in danger of losing SNAP benefits on Saturday.
“Of course we’re always concerned, if there are people who can’t get food,” said Ann Lesperance, Secretary of the Blackstone-Millville Food Pantry. “Luckily, our food pantry is very well supported in the community, by donations and food products. We also make regular visits to the Worcester County Food Bank, in Shrewsbury. We get about 75% of our food from the Food Bank, and the additional 25% is supplemented by local people. We’ve been trying to keep up our supplies and doing as much as we can to keep our shelves stocked.”
The possible stoppage of government food benefits also coincides with a very busy time of year for food pantries — the holidays. Local food pantries can use all the help they can get.
“Because of the incredible support we receive from this community, we think we will be OK,” Lesperance said. “But we want everyone who needs help in Blackstone and Millville to come to the food pantry. And anybody who can donate even a can of soup, that would be helpful. Anything people can donate will be greatly appreciated. And don’t forget, donations are welcome year-round.”
###
Food donation bins have been placed in the foyers of Blackstone Municipal Center (during normal business hours) and the Blackstone Police Department, at 15 St. Paul St. (donations accepted 24 hours/day). (Photo Courtesy Town of Blackstone)
Discover more from John Guilfoil Public Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.