Westfield Food Pantry struggling to keep doors open - WESTERNMASSNEWS.com

Westfield Food Pantry struggling to keep doors open - WESTERNMASSNEWS.com
WESTFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -

More than 1,800 students in Westfield are categorized as economically disadvantaged, a number that's increased from last year.

It's having a devastating impact on the city's only food pantry. 

The director of the Westfield Food Pantry, Rebecca Hart, said donations are down 500 percent from where they were two years ago. She said it's because of a shrinking middle class and an influx of refugee families to the city.

“We serve 1,200 people a month and 51 percent of those are children," said Jeffrey Castonguay, a board member and volunteer at the Westfield Food Pantry. “We’re having a hard time paying the bills.”

About 16 percent of Westfield students are living in poverty and that number is rising.

“I go to the Westfield pantry for food," said Glenn Whalen of Wesfield. He added he's not surprised the pantry needs help and offered to donate his money there even though he said he needs help, too.

“There’s a profound need everywhere and Westfield’s no exception," said Brian Gwozdz of Westfield. 

About 11 percent of Westfield citizens are living in poverty. The food pantry is there to help people in need, but the pantry is in need, now, too.

Castonguay said the pantry needs more than just food - it needs monetary donations, as well.

The pantry is mainly funded by private donations but those have dwindled in recent years. The majority of past donors now actually come to the food pantry for themselves and a great number of them are families with young children.

About 33 percent of Westfield students are categorized as "economically disadvantaged." There are 72 more students in that category this year than in the 2016-2017 school year.

“We know that the population of our schools is about 5,600 kids," said Stefan Czaporowski, Superintendent of the Westfield Public Schools. "Over 900 of them are living below the poverty level.”

He said the poverty level is defined by a family of four living with an annual income of $24,300 or less.

Students in that category, he said, receive free or reduced lunches. But that doesn't help when they're not at school.

“We really want our students coming to school not hungry and ready to learn," said Czaporowski.

He said that's a basic need. 

In the last month, Westfield has had 15 refugee families move in.

“They don’t have very much and we want to make sure they are set up so they can continue to come to school," said Czaporowski.

The pantry tries to purchase culturally appropriate food for them, which the director said, costs more money.

If you'd like to learn more about the Westfield Food Pantry, or how you can help, please click here to visit their website.

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