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Local food pantry withdraws request after private donation; board outlines nonprofit and appropriation rules
Summary
A food pantry serving about 25–35 local clients withdrew a funding request after a large private donation; Select Board members said town funds require a 501(c)(3) or voter appropriation and encouraged a formal nonprofit application for future support.
Mary Cloutier told the board the food pantry regularly serves "25 to 35 folks," most of whom are Andover residents, and asked whether an outside fund could donate to the pantry even if the pantry did not request it formally. The pantry later withdrew its request after reporting a large private donation.
Frederick Detheridge said the pantry removed its funding request because the private donation made the immediate need less pressing. Justin Thacker, Select Board member, noted that town disbursements to nonprofit entities generally require a formal nonprofit structure and that money appropriated by the town must be approved at Town Meeting: "When they do not have a 501(c)(3) status and are using the churches EIN number ... once they are an official nonprofit they can reapply. The money has to be appropriated by the town voters at Town Meeting." The board encouraged the pantry to formalize its organizational status if it seeks town funds in the future and suggested a future presentation when appropriate.
