Great Barrington — After a rather transient existence since its inception in 1999, the People’s Pantry is poised to open on Thursday morning (March 23) in the basement of Saint James Place (SJP), at the corner of Main Street and Taconic Avenue, where the organization had its genesis.
“The People’s Pantry started in the garage of [the former St. James Episcopal Church]” said Saint James Place (SJP) president Sally Harris. Since 1999, it has operated out of several locations including St. Peter’s Community Center, the basement of the Bryant School, and most recently the Calvary Christian Chapel outside of town on North Plain Road.
“For us it is very gratifying and hopeful to be able to give them a permanent home that is close to public transportation and can support the dedication of all the members who have shown up and worked hard to make it happen,” Harris said. SJP is providing the space to the People’s Pantry at no cost, thereby eradicating the oft-entertained question of where the organization will make its home.
Volunteers spent the better part of Friday, Monday and Tuesday moving the bones of the People’s Pantry — namely shelves, three freezers, and stock — to their nearly 1,000 square foot new space. “While the shelves don’t look full,” explained People’s Pantry President Carol Purcell, “there is enough for Thursday.” At the forefront of shoppers’ minds is the availability of parking. Three parking spaces out front, including one that is handicapped accessible, will complement the parking behind Saint James Place. It is unclear at present if this will accommodate the weekly shoppers — ranging in number from 40 to 80 — that Purcell estimates visit each week.
The new space, accessible at street level thanks to a curb cut provided by the town, is set up like a market where shoppers are able to choose their own items. Food is donated to the Pantry or purchased using donated funds. Day-old bread and produce is collected from Big Y and Guido’s; non-perishable items come from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Hatfield. In addition to these items, the Pantry also provides milk, cheese and frozen meat. While the availability of fresh produce is often meager at this time of year, during the growing season free fresh produce is donated by local farms.
Berkshire Bounty and Berkshire Grown are integral partners, as is community support. Pantry volunteer John Zutter rallied his fellow members at CrossFit Great Barrington last November to donate all 70 turkeys that were supplied to shoppers for the holiday season. The Pantry has relied, over the years, on local food drives hosted by various religious congregations as well as the post office.
“We have been supported wonderfully by the community,” said Purcell, noting that the pantry is staffed by seven teams of volunteers — four church teams, two synagogue teams, and one community team — that take turns working every Thursday, save for Thanksgiving, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Despite mixed feelings among volunteers as to the Pantry’s move, as well as Purcell’s admission that at times their existence has been “beleaguered,” there is no going back. “We’ve crossed the Rubicon” the former history teacher joked, in a nod to the name historically given to the river famously crossed by Julius Caesar in 49 BCE.
The organization’s return, to its prior home in the basement of the former St. James Episcopal Church, marks the third and final piece to be put into place at Saint James Place. Harris emphasized that SJP is a true Cultural Center since it has incorporated educational components, social services as well as the arts. Fred Harris, also of SJP said, “it’s good to have [the People’s Pantry] back and in a spot that is permanent…designed uniquely for their purposes.” Of particular note was the fact that representatives from the People’s Pantry worked directly with the architect at SJP in specifying their needs, reflected in the increased storage space, ample waiting area, and bathrooms.
“I hope the Pantry goes on,” remarked Purcell wistfully. “In these political times, the need will only increase.” The People’s Pantry is a non-profit 501-c (3) corporation and accepts tax-deductible cash donations. The mission of the Pantry is to reduce hunger in the South Berkshire area by distributing food in a manner that preserves the dignity and sense of self-worth of shoppers. Their policy is “all those in South County who feel they need help in feeding themselves and their families are welcome at the Pantry. There are no income guidelines and no limits on shopper visits.”
