A group of community volunteers in Dublin has opened a new food pantry in response to the recent suspension of SNAP benefits and ongoing challenging economic times.
“A lot of people in town had the same idea at the same time, and a lot of people wanted to help and made this happen, so we just did it, ” said coordinator Brie Morrissey.
The Dublin food pantry, which is always open, is located in the Dublin Business Center, 1283 Main Street, Unit 8B. The pantry is self-serve, and people are welcome any time.
“Everything is on the honor system. There is no paperwork, no one has to register–this is just neighbors helping neighbors when they need help, as simple as that,” Morrissey said.
Morrissey said that while Dublin is served by the Peterborough Food Pantry, not everyone is able to make the drive to Peterborough or get there when the pantry is open.
“What we’ve heard from some people is that they don’t have that five dollars for gas, or they can’t get there during specific hours because they work, or are taking care of their families,” Morrissey said. “We also have some people in the community who don’t have homes, so it’s hard for them to register or do paperwork.”
Morrissey, co-owner of the Dublin Business Center, said she happened to have an unused room behind the loading dock and was happy to dedicate the space to the food pantry.
“We had the space, so I thought, why not utilize it for that?” she said.
Morrissey said volunteers from the Dublin Community Church, as well as many individuals in town, have been pitching in to bring donations and get the word out.
“So far it has been pretty busy,” Morrissey said on Thursday, Nov. 6. “Most people come and get enough for one meal, and that’s really what we’re hoping, that people will just come in and get what they need. We’ve had some people come after hours, at 8 or 9 p.m., and grab some food for dinner.”
Along with non-perishable foods and some hardy produce, such as apples and squash, the food pantry offers dental kits and personal care items such as diapers, hygiene products, soap and shampoo.
The pantry also has racks of donated clothes, including winter coats and shoes, which Morrissey said were left over from a clothing drive last fall after Hurricane Helene.
The food pantry is still looking for volunteers to pick up donations as well as deliver food to people who are not able to come to the pantry.
Morrissey says the volunteers intend to keep the pantry going as long as there is a need, whether it is through the holidays, through the winter, or until government food benefits are restored.
Community members wishing to volunteer or request help can find the Dublin Food Pantry on Facebook.
