WESTPORT — Since the Westport Food Pantry closed in June, hundreds of people have had to scramble to find other resources or go hungry.
The new Angels Anonymous Food Pantry in Fall River is trying to help those affected by the loss of free needed food supplies.
The group will offer a free mobile food pantry in Westport from 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 9 at the VFW, 843 State Road.
“We’re going to bring as much as we can,” said Food Pantry Chairman Tony Abreu.
Abreu said the mobile pantry won’t likely operate regularly in Westport. He said the group wants to introduce those in need to Angels Anonymous and invite them to the food pantry at 231 Weaver St., Fall River.
“It’s our goal to let everyone know,” Abreu said. “What we’re trying to do is get everyone over to our pantry.”
The Westport Food Pantry closed its location at the Westport Middle School because the building will be razed to make way for a new combined middle and high school.
The group had been operating the Westport Food Pantry there for several years and served roughly 200 families each month.
A new location has not yet been located.
Around the time that the Westport Food Pantry closed, Angels Anonymous opened its new site. The volunteer group started out performing city cleanups about four years ago and eventually started a mobile food pantry that grew into a permanent location.
Abreu said the group will have 10 to 12 volunteers on site in Westport to help clients pick up free food.
Items will include staples like pasta and rice, tinned vegetables, fresh produce and more. Tables will be set up under a pavilion.
The new Angels Anonymous Food Pantry has already grown in two short months. Abreu said it serves roughly 300 households, including about 50 from Westport.
“It shows the need,” Abreu said.
The regular Angels Anonymous Food Pantry on Weaver Street is open the third weekend of each month, both Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to noon.
