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Board seeks more documentation before funding Andover Food Pantry; historical society tax exemption discussed
Summary
The Select Board asked the church and the Andover Food Pantry for more documentation about the pantry’s financial structure and nonprofit status and declined a donation motion at the April 14 meeting; the board also discussed the Andover Historical Society’s paperwork and fundraising needs and noted a prior tentative approval.
The Select Board asked for further documentation before approving a town donation to the Andover Food Pantry, which the pantry’s representative, Deb Richard, said operates under the Good Shepherd church’s EIN. Richard explained the pantry must track donated food pounds to meet Walmart’s requirements and said client intake forms and income checks are used to determine eligibility; she also said most pantry clients are elderly.
Board members asked whether donated town funds should be directed to the church that houses the pantry or to a standalone nonprofit and requested that representatives from the church attend a future meeting with clearer financial documentation. The motion to approve the pantry donation request failed on April 14 for lack of sufficient documentation.
Separately, Joan Forrester of the Andover Historical Society presented paperwork related to the society’s nonprofit property tax exemption and said funds raised support insurance and building maintenance. Board discussion noted the society’s membership drive and fundraising limitations; the minutes record a motion to acknowledge and finalize the society’s exempt status recorded as “failed” in this session, though the board had voted on April 7 to approve and the required paperwork was on file.
The board did not provide funding at the April 14 meeting and asked both entities to provide clearer financial documentation for future consideration.
