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Local pantries and state officials urge year‑round donations, volunteers to close seasonal gap in Templeton area
Summary
In a video produced by James Bennett of Troop 39 Phillipston, representatives from the Gardner CAC, Montachusett Veterans' Outreach Center, Templeton Food Pantry and state lawmakers described year‑round needs at local food pantries, noted large winter donation spikes and urged ongoing volunteer and monetary support.
James Bennett of Troop 39 Phillipston produced a video at the Templeton Food Pantry on behalf of an Eagle project, hosting representatives from local food pantries, veterans’ services and state lawmakers to discuss food insecurity and how to sustain support beyond the winter holidays.
Speakers said donations and volunteer help peak in November and December but drop sharply through spring and summer, leaving pantries struggling to stretch year‑end funds across the year. Julie Meehan, executive director of the Gardner CAC, said, “We serve about 900 people every month through our food pantry.” Stephanie Marchetti, executive director of the Montachusett Veterans’ Outreach Center, said, “We serve about 800 veterans a year.”
The message from pantry directors and nonprofit staff was practical: pantries need ongoing monetary donations, regular volunteer shifts, and items that are not always…
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