Wednesday, Oct 10, 2018

Pantry to be open weekly for all members of the community

LAWRENCE - The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc. is opening a food pantry at its main office, 305 Essex St. in Lawrence to help combat food insecurity in the region.

 “People are struggling to put food on the table and rather than send them to an unfamiliar place, our clients and members of the community will be able to get a little extra help right here at GLCAC,’’ said Ashley Mason, director of GLCAC’s WIC and Navigator programs.

The pantry will be open to GLCAC clients and all members of the community.  The pantry is scheduled to open for the first time on Oct. 16, and be open every Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

GLCAC’s Food Pantry will be stocked by the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, which supplies food for 18 other pantries in the city. All items will be non-perishable such as canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, soup, beans and rice. Baby food will also be available.

The amount of food each client receives will depend upon household size. This is the first time GLCAC has operated a food pantry. Mason said the program complements its free summer lunch program, which was started two years ago.

“We’re providing greater food access to people who need it,’’ she said.

GLCAC will also accept food donations and is seeking volunteers to help distribute food. For more information, contact Mason at 978-620-4740.

GLCAC is a multi-faceted social services agency that assisted 32,648 individuals in 2017 through a range of programs including early childhood education, fuel assistance, WIC nutrition assistance, immigration services, lead poisoning prevention, child abuse prevention, English-language lessons, and consumer protection.