NEW BEDFORD — The American Red Cross has received written notification from state officials, allowing the organization to have a mobile food pantry at the 593 Kempton Street parking lot once a month, a Red Cross spokesman said.
The plan comes down to a matter of working out details and completing paperwork, he noted.
The change is necessary after the state asked three tenants at the 593 Kempton St. building have to find a new home so the building could be sold and developed.
Last week, a Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) spokesman said once the remaining three tenants — the American Red Cross Food Pantry, PACE YouthBuild and House of Music New Bedford — have vacated the state-owned building, the “disposition process” is set to begin, however, a timetable hasn’t been determined yet.
Due to the state noting it’d like to see the property developed and “put on the City’s tax rolls,” the tenants had to vacate the 1893 building by the end of March.
Red Cross spokesman Jeff Hall said last week, the food pantry finished moving its inventory, although it was unclear how much there was. He reported there was no food pantry available March 29. As the director of the New Bedford location explained, regular patrons have been told about new plans, but others may have missed the notice, Hall said.
At the site, since there wasn’t a sign on the door, people seemed to be confused when the food pantry was unavailable.
The plan is to open the mobile food pantry at 10 a.m. every third Thursday of the month beginning this month which changes from every Thursday, 1 to 6 p.m. The hours are typically once a month with the mobile food pantry, Hall said. The organization serves about 800 families per month out of its city food pantry.
Daniel Watson, executive director of the nonprofit House of Music New Bedford said the organization is seeking donations to buy a building on the corner of Arnold and Chancery streets. Those interested in donating can visit houseofmusicnb.org/donate.html.
“It would perfectly fit our needs,” Watson said. However, owners are asking for $85,000 which is already down from the original price of nearly $100,000, Watson added.
Temporarily, people have offered up their backyards for the program to use. Watson said he is hoping for an extension at 593 Kempton St.
If the organization can buy the building, Watson said he’d like to offer an after-school music program and summer program.
About 30 kids attend the program from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays which teaches about self esteem and social responsibility through dance, music and songwriting.
“House of Music is very much needed by the youth,” Watson said.
Multiple attempts to reach officials from YouthBuild were unsuccessful.
In February, program Director Gloria Williams said the organization is set to make its new home at the former Kempton School on Shawmut Avenue.
YouthBuild can’t start with new students because of the time it will take to move, Williams has said.
YouthBuild, a national youth development program serving ages 16-24 without a high school diploma, provides preparation for the HiSET exam and teaches constructional skills, leadership development and community service. The organization has been in the building for about five years.
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