A Second Shed for the Food Pantry

It’s a good problem to have.
Norfolk’s food pantry receives so many donations that it has been running out of storage space. The small building, operated by the Emmanuel Baptist Church in town, is frequently past capacity, especially around the holidays. Overflow is stored in the church offices and basement, as well as in the homes of church members.
Norfolk Lion John Pokorny had noticed the lack of space as he dropped off donations to the food pantry this past winter. After talking with other Lions who were members of the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Pokorny decided the Lions would try to help.
According to Dee Harpin, the director of Norfolk’s food pantry, the organization has been in need of additional storage space for close to 5 years.
“We were delighted when the Lions offered to build a storage shed next to the pantry,” said Harpin. “They’ve been very generous to the pantry in past years, donating supplies and funds to buy food.”
Originally, the Lions decided they would put an addition on the current building, but code issues necessitated an entirely separate structure next to the existing shed. The Lions ran into further problems when the roots of a birch tree interfered with the foundation of the new building, so the tree had to come down first. Church Deacon Brian D’Angelo, a retired crane operator, donated his time and a bulldozer to take down the tree, remove its roots, and dig the hole for the new building.
Ed Melanson, a registered engineer and one of the Lions working on the project, estimates the Lions have put in close to 1000 volunteer hours building the new shed.
“I know construction people could whip this out in a weekend, but we’re Lions and not as talented,” he joked.
Some of the project materials were donated, but the cost of the building will still run close to $5000, estimated Melanson. The Lions are committed to funding the project, but for the first time, the group is using a Go-Fund me account to help defray some of the expenses.
The Norfolk Lions Club, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to serving the town and enhancing community life through its annual traditions, such as the Haunted Train Ride, Community Day, and Chili Fest. These events also serve as fundraisers for the group, with the money going back into town organizations and charities.
“We’re not very good at tooting our own horn,” admitted Melanson, “so it’s kind of a tough thing to ask people for money. For this project, we thought we’d do something different since the cost was going to be so high.”
The 8 x 20 foot new shed will be outfitted with shelving and wired for electricity and heat. The base, weighing close to 1000 pounds, needed 10 men to lift and move it.
Josh King, the office administrator for the church, said extra food will be stored in the new shed and then the items will be rotated into the existing structure as needed. Currently, the food pantry is most in need of paper goods and bathroom tissue, as well as toiletries, and can always use boxes of cereal. King says financial donations are always welcome, as are gift cards to area supermarkets to round out the provisions in the pantry.
“Food expires but finances do not,” explained King. “We choose not to hand out expired food.”
The food pantry is open every Saturday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Residents can drop by then to sign up. A driver’s license or other proof of residency is required, and the amount of food given out is based on family size. Started in 1991, the pantry currently provides food for 20 to 50 Norfolk families.
Harpin said the church is grateful for the community’s ongoing support, as well as the work and effort put in by the Lions to build the new shed.
According to Melanson, the building will be finished in early October, just in time for the onslaught of much-appreciated holiday donations. “I think it will be a nice project, when all is said and done,” he said.
Visit www.gofundme.com/ 2maxae6s to donate to the food pantry project. Any extra funds not used in the building project will be donated to the church for use in purchasing supplies for the food pantry.